The 22-year-old Californian, fresh from his emphatic victory in Charlotte last week, increased his threat to the game's established big guns by continuing his sizzling form, picking up two strokes in four holes at the tough Sawgrass TPC.

He birdied the first and third holes to move to equal second at four under par, two strokes behind Spanish leader Sergio Garcia, who has a late tee-off time today.

Another Spaniard, Miguel Jimenez, remained as he started the day at two under after nine holes, this after initially gathering two birdies to reel in Garcia, but then giving away two bogeys to slip back again.

Best of the early British starters were Lee Westwood and Luke Donald at two over after three and four holes, respectively, while Ian Poulter, who shot an opening three-under 69, tees off later.

Golf is not necessarily meant to be fair, but the discrepancy in playing conditions was becoming apparent very early in the day.

Yesterday, the morning starters enjoyed perfect conditions with hardly a breath of wind, while in the afternoon players contended with a stiff breeze gusting to more than 20mph.

With the tee times reversed today, those who caught the worst of the weather in the first round were hoping, if not expecting, to enjoy similarly benign morning conditions.

It was not to be, however, as a moderate breeze sprang up very early, showing that the conditions do not always balance out.

The famous par-three 17th, with its island green, was causing havoc, as it so often does when it is windy.

Meanwhile, American Jeff Maggert withdrew before the round after learning his brother had died in a light plane crash.

From Andrew Both, PA Sport