Tiger takes charge at rainy Torrey Pines

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - It was just like old times for Tiger Woods at a rain-sodden Torrey Pines on Friday as the former world number one surged into an early three-shot lead in the second round of the Farmers Insurance Open.

Six-times champion Woods eagled the par-five 18th, his ninth hole of the day, en route to a seven-under-par 65 on the easier North Course, one of two layouts hosting the fourth PGA Tour event of the season.

Back at a venue where he has always felt extremely comfortable, the 37-year-old American took advantage of the four reachable par-fives as he also carded six birdies and a lone bogey to finish at 11-under 133.

"If you handle the par-fives, there's four (shots) right there," Woods told Golf Channel after covering the par-five holes in five under.

"But it's tough out there," he added after playing his final hole in a heavy downpour. "The greens are not very good at all out there, and two-footers are missable.

"We've got a long way to go and this golf course is not going to get easier with this rain. The rough is going to get sticky. It's a pretty tough course."

Britain's Ross Fisher, competing on the PGA Tour this year for the first time as a full member, was one of three players at eight under and had seven holes remaining on the tougher South layout.

Woods' playing partner Nick Watney was a further stroke back after carding a four-birdie 68 while fellow American Charles Howell III was among a group of four knotted at six under after shooting a 72 on the South course.