The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO - Gone from golf for two months, it didn't take Tiger Woods long to get back in contention on the PGA Tour.

Woods chipped in from 34 yards for eagle on his final hole Friday in the Buick Invitational, giving him a 6-under-par 66 and sending a strong message about the state of his knee, not to mention his game.

He didn't hit many fairways, and the rust was evident. Still, he's only two strokes behind leaders Brad Faxon and Marco Dawson heading into the weekend at a tournament where Woods has never finished worse than fifth.

"It's just getting into the rhythm of competing," he said. "I have to get into game shape. Practice is one thing, but it's a different speed out here. I've got to get used to that."

Woods' game turned as quickly as a gloomy fog that gave way to glorious sunshine.

When the day began with low-hanging clouds over Torrey Pines, Woods replaced his ball under a cedar tree on the 10th hole to resume his first round. He was 1-under par and going nowhere in a hurry.

By late afternoon, the weather was spectacular over the Pacific coast line and colorful hang gliders dotted the horizon. Woods was just short of the ninth green and walked only to the edge of the putting surface to gauge his chip.

The ball skipped over a ridge on the green, slowed to a crawl and disappeared into the cup. The gallery erupted and Woods raised both arms and smiled.

"That was just a feel shot," Woods said.

Faxon got a lesson last week at Pebble Beach on how to stay patient. He played with Davis Love III, who struggled early in the tournament and wound up winning. Faxon was plodding along until making five birdies over his final eight holes for a 64.

He and Dawson (66) were at 10-under 134.

Woods isn't the only comeback story this week. Dennis Paulson, a former PGA Tour winner who lost his card this year, made the most of his opportunity to play in the Buick with rounds of 68-67.

Paulson was in a large group at 135 that included first-round leader Arron Oberholser (65-70) and Fred Funk (71-64).

Woods, who was at 136, admitted to some rust after finishing his first round on the North Course with a birdie and a 2-under 70. He packs ice on his knee in the evening, followed by routine stretching in the morning.

By the time he started his second round, Woods had a spring in his step. "My leg got better as the day went on," he said.

JOHNNIE WALKER: Ernie Els played 10 ordinary holes, then eight extraordinary ones to take a four-stroke lead at Perth, Australia.

Els shot a 7-under 65 and is 15-under after two rounds as he goes for his fourth victory of the year.

The first 10 holes were nothing special for the South African star, who shot even-par. But Els then strung together four straight birdies starting at No.11. He took the lead at No.12 and followed that by eagling the par-5 15th for the second consecutive day. Els finished his round with another birdie at No.18. He matched his first-round score of 29 on the back nine.

"Nothing was happening for me on the front nine," Els said. "I had to grind it out, then it all happened for me on the back nine. I have to thank the architect for the back nine."

CHAMPIONS TOUR: Vicente Fernandez shot a 6-under 66 at the ACE Group Classic in Naples, Fla., the first time he has had a lead after the opening round since the 2000 Royal Caribbean Classic. He ended up finishing second at that tournament. Fifteen players are within two shots of Fernandez. Forty-nine of the 81 players shot par or better.