Tiger Woods was high scorer at this Buick Invitational as he went five-under through 12 and joined Ernie Els, five shots off the pace at eight-under. Tiger Wood was Buick Invitational champion in 1999 and 2003. At the moment Lehman is leading the tournament.

Lehman leads, Woods moves up as fog stops Buick Invitational

Tom Lehman, U.S. Ryder Cup captain, was clinging to a second round lead at Buick Invitational at the Torrey Pines Country Club in California on Friday when play was temporarily stopped because of dense fog. Lehman secured his one shot edge over Dean Wilson that Lehman had when the day began by draining a 12-foot putt on seven, giving him back-to-back birdies to go 13-under heading into the clubhouse to wait out the delay. Tiger Woods also was high scorer at this Buick Invitational as he went five-under through 12 and joined Ernie Els five shots off the pace at eight-under. Tiger Wood was Buick Invitational champion in 1999 and 2003.Phil Mickelson, a three-time Buick winner, ended his day five under through 13 holes. World No.1 and the most successful 2004 player Vijay Singh had problems mounting a charge, sitting 10-shots back at three under after 13. Buick Invitational is played over two courses, one round at the easier North course and three on the more difficult South. Fog slowly climbed over the cliffs affecting a few holes but later quickly shrouded both courses.

The 2005 Buick Invitational has a prize fund of $4.5 million.

Tiger Woods has looked to be on the way back to his imperious best in recent outings but, with no PGA Tour stroke play victory since August 2003, it’s hard to get excited by his price this week (currently 10/3). Instead, at three times the price of Woods, go for Phil Mickelson to get his season off to a flyer in the city of his birth, San Diego.

Lefty has won his first start of the year an astonishing five times in his career, to earn himself the title of ‘January King’. What’s more, he’s won this event three times in the past, finishing fourth the last two years, so it is obviously one of his favourite tournaments. With ten of the last 13 Buick winners having been born in the state, another native worthy of close consideration this week is Aaron Oberholser.

Aaron finished fourth here two years ago, and was in contention last year until a closing 81 put him well down the field. A recent spin in Hawaii will have blown the cobwebs away, and he looks worthy of each way support at a tasty 100/1. The final pick goes to Shigeki Maruyama, another course specialist (tied 2nd in 2000, and 4th last year), whose game looked in great nick when finishing tied for 3rd in last week’s Sony Open.

Nigel’s Three Off The Tee: Mickelson @ 10/1, Shigeki Maruyama @ 40/1, Aaron Oberholser @ 100/1. Bet365.com is betting in-play throughout this event.

Event details:

2005 Buick Invitational at the Torrey Pines Country Club in California

Th Jan 21 - 20.00 BST (SS2)Fr Jan 22 - 20.00 BST (SSX)Sa Jan 23 - 20.00 BST (SS2)Su Jan 24 - 20.30 BST (SS2)