World Challenge 2012: Day 2 Leaderboard Analysis, Highlights and More

After turning in a 66 in the second round of the 2012 World Challenge, Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell leads the field at Sherwood Country Club by three shots. 

McDowell's seven birdies on Day 2—including three straight to begin the round—were more than enough to give him the lead on Friday after shooting a 69 in the opening round. 

Bo Van Pelt and Jim Furyk had themselves a day, each posting five birdies and finding themselves three shots off the lead following Friday's action. 

According to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Tiger Woods—who hosts the tournament and won it last year—saw a share of the lead at one point on Friday but would go on to finish four strokes behind McDowell at five under. 

The AP also notes that it's been two years since McDowell won a tournament, as his last win came at the 2010 World Challenge. 

Here's your updated leaderboard, video highlights and Twitter reaction from Day 2 of the 2012 World Challenge. 

Leaderboard

Position

Player

Score

1

Graeme McDowell

-9

T2

Bo Van Pelt

-6

T2

Jim Furyk

-6

T2

Keegan Bradley

-6

5

Tiger Woods

-5

T6

Nick Watney

-4

T6

Rickie Fowler

-4

8

Jason Dufner

-3

T9

Dustin Johnson

-2

T9

Matt Kuchar

-2

Highlights

Closing out his round, McDowell birdies the 17th hole after placing his tee shot within four feet of the hole, his seventh and last birdie of the day (h/t PGATour.com). 

The 15th hole saw Van Pelt land his tee shot on the par 3 within six inches of the cup, according to PGATour.com.  It was one of five birdies on the day for Van Pelt, who trails by three strokes. 

After parring the 10th hole in Round 1 on Thursday, Woods brilliantly mastered the hole on Day 2 to make birdie.  Woods birdied five holes but also bogeyed two, finishing three under on the day. 

Twitter Reaction

Golf Channel writer Jason Sobel gives us some insight on what it's like to be a successful golfer on tour (via Twitter):

World Challenge leader Graeme McDowell will soon take a 10-week vacation.  Guess it pays to be your own boss.