ALVESLOHE, Germany -- Robert Karlsson birdied the 17th hole Friday to move ahead of Ian Woosnam and take a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Deutsche Bank Players' Championship.

Woosnam, Europe's Ryder Cup captain, had taken a two-stroke lead with a 6-under 66 after the morning session and before Karlsson began. The tall Swede's 66 pushed him past the Welshman to 14-under 130 overall.

Lee Westwood, who led overnight, birdied four of the first six holes to draw level with Woosnam, but then parred the last 12 for a 68 to remain one stroke behind the leader.

"I feel extremely frustrated. I had so many chances and could easily be 18 under par but I just couldn't get the ball in the hole," Westwood said.

Gary Orr joined them in second place after a 64.

Karlsson, however, said he did not feel he was playing his best golf.

"I hope there's more to come. But I've played well for a couple of months," he said.

Retief Goosen shot a 68 for a share of fifth place with Charl Schwartzel, who also shot 64. Padraig Harrington shot a 65 and was tied for seventh with Luke Donald and Christian Nilsson, who had 66s.

But the day belonged to Woosnam, the 48-year-old former Masters champion who proved he still packs a punch as a player.

"Over the last two days, it's probably the most consistently I've played in a long time and the best I've putted in 10 years," he said.

The 48-year-old Welshman said he changed his putting stance on the practice green before Thursday's opening round of 65.

"I've basically moved the ball back in my stance. Then I keep my feet square to the target and line it up correctly," Woosnam said. "It doesn't look very pretty or feel very pretty but I'm striking them on-line."

Starting at the 10th on the 7,290-yard Gut Kaden course, Woosnam birdied the 11th and 16th on putts of 8 and 6 feet.

On the second nine, he had four successive birdies from the second, the last two on putts of 20 and 30 feet.

"He hit his irons unbelievably well," playing partner Graeme McDowell said.

Woosnam's last significant victory was in the 2001 World Match Play Championship at Wentworth.

"It's nice to be back in the interview room in my old capacity - as a player," said Woosnam, who has given several Ryder Cup press conferences this year.

Woosnam also said he has found a new injection to treat his perennial back problem, which has affected him for the last 15 years.

"I have one injection a week. It costs about 200 pounds sterling (US$370) a time. It has taken a lot of stiffness out of my back and given me freedom to swing," he said.

He and the other morning players enjoyed perfect conditions after a thunderstorm dumped heavy rain on the course late Thursday.

"The greens were very receptive and you could fire at the pins," said Donald, who played with Sergio Garcia.

They began the final hole at 10 under, but Donald birdied it while Garcia made a bogey.

Todd Hamilton, the 2004 British Open champion, birdied the final hole to scrape into the weekend on the cutoff mark of 140. He shot a 69 on Friday.

But John Daly, the Open champion in 1995, was less fortunate, despite getting over his recent tendency to start badly. He birdied two of the first four holes but three bogeys mid-round sent him toward a 74 and he missed the cut by six shots.

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