Golf: Ryan Palmer takes lead into a weekend that includes Tiger Woods at the Farmers Insurance Open

Tiger Woods has made the cut at a PGA tour event for the first time in 29 months. Photo / AP Photo

For the first time in 29 months, a PGA Tour event will feature Tiger Woods on the weekend.

Woods fought hard at the Farmers Insurance Open to make the cut in his return from a fourth back surgery.

The 14-time major winner had to rally with four birdies on his back nine for a one-under 71 to make the cut right on the number.

"It was a grind; I fought hard," said Woods.

"It was typical, you know; just me going out there and fighting for whatever I can get."

American Ryan Palmer is the lone leader going into the third round.

Palmer finished eagle-birdie on the North Course at Torrey Pines for a five-under 67, taking him to 11-under for the tournament.

The American holds a slim one-shot lead over in-form Spaniard Jon Rahm, the defending champion who birdied two of his last three holes on the North for a 66.

Leading Kiwi golfer Danny Lee has slid down eight places to a share of 23rd but remains in contention in San Diego.

Lee mixed three birdies with two early bogeys to card a second-round 71. The 27-year-old is four-under for the tournament, seven strokes behind Palmer.

The Kiwi appears to have regained his form after missing the cut in his previous three efforts on tour.

Lee lost his spot as the top Kiwi in the world rankings this week after dropping to 125th, three spots behind compatriot Ryan Fox.

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