From the ninth hole, he caught fire again, pouring in putts in a burst of scoring that saw him bag five birdies in an electrifying, seven-hole stretch.

It was the lowest round by Woods in a major, topping his 64 during the 1997 British Open at Royal Troon.

Gunning for his first major crown since last year's PGA, Woods largely ignored his driver and focused on placing the ball. He was deadly on the greens, needing just 24 putts.

"All day I was in control of my shots and controlling my trajectory," he said.

Woods rolled in 20-footers at the fourth and 15th holes. He made a 35-foot par-saving putt at 12 and chipped in for birdie at 14. At the ninth he hit an eight-iron to one foot. He blasted out to within two feet of the cup from a bunker at 13.

When the magic finally left him on his 15-foot putt at 18, Woods turned his back on the hole and dropped his putter.

"I was mad. I hit a good putt and thought I made it."

Before Woods's remarkable charge, local favourite Verplank grabbed the spotlight.

The U.S. Ryder Cup veteran, who attended nearby Oklahoma State University and lives in the area, showed his cool with four birdies in the 100-degree heat.

HARD TO CATCH

"Yesterday and today I hit the ball as good as I've ever hit it," he told reporters.

The lead was up for grabs early when overnight pacesetter Graeme Storm of Britain slumped to a six-over-par 76.

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