MIAMI (AP) – The putt was about 10 feet and looked like so many Tiger Woods had faced over the first two days at the Blue Monster. The difference Friday was the ball went in, and it put him back on track for a third straight victory at Doral.

The par putt on No. 9 sent him to three consecutive birdies, and Woods closed with the 10-footer on the final hole for a 6-under 66 and a two-shot lead over Rod Pampling in the CA Championship.

“I hit good putts … but still had not made one yet,” Woods said.

“Then all of a sudden I had this one up here at nine and I poured that one in. I said, ‘That’s my stroke. Just try and keep this thing going.’ And I did.”

And just like that, this again looks like his tournament.

He was at 7-under 137 and will play the third round Saturday with Pampling, a frequent practice partner at the majors.

Ernie Els, who held off Woods five years ago at Doral, also made progress with his putter and had another 70. He was in a large group at 4-under 140 that included Henrik Stenson (73), Charles Howell III (71), Thomas Bjorn (72) and Trevor Immelman (68).

The wind was far less severe, and the scoring was about a stroke easier.

Woods’ 66 was the best round of the tournament, and another example of how strong wind and new greens that are unfamiliar to so many regulars at Doral has affected scoring. A year ago, Woods had a share of the halfway lead at 13 under.

Robert Allenby, who shared the first-round lead with Stenson, had a 74 and was in the large group at 3 under.

AP-ES-03-23-07 1821EDT