Tiger Woods continues his remarkable comeback from severe leg injuries Friday with an afternoon tee time at the Masters, the legend firmly in title contention early in the second round

Lee Westwood fired a 70 for a three-under total of 210 to lead by two from Tiger Woods, who had a 72, and Hunter Mahan, who had a 68, equalling the best round of the day at the British Open.

The American started the day with a one stroke lead, saw six different players overtake him, and then rebounded at the death to move back ahead by the smallest of margins on one-under 209.

Haas fired a five-under par 67 while Cink, who has not won since defeating Tom Watson in a playoff at the 2009 British Open, shot a 68 to stand atop the leaderboard on 11-under 205, both nine strokes ahead of World No. 2 McIlroy.

Steve Wheatcroft, who booked his place in the field in a Monday qualifier, topped the leaderboard with a second-straight 67 for 10-under par 134.

The 37-year-old Woods posted his 17th career WGC victory, though it was only his first in four years. He has not won a major title in almost five years but hopes to change that with a win in the 77th Masters running April 11-14.

Mahan was the first defending champion to return to the final since 2006 winner Geoff Ogilvy of Australia was runner-up in 2007.

Not to be outdone, Matt Kuchar reached the semifinals for the second time in three years with steady play, rarely taking himself out of position.

Donald was the top seed in his quarter and third seed overall in the 64-man field behind world number one McIlroy and number two Woods, who both fell in the snow-delayed first round on Thursday.

Ireland's Shane Lowry, an old friend of the Northern Irishman from their amateur days, defeated the two-times major winner 1-up with the aid of chip-ins at the 11th and 12th holes at Dove Mountai.