THOMASTOWN, Ireland - Wild weather seems to bring out the best in Ernie Els, who was both steady and spectacular Friday in a cool rain, warm sunshine and blustery conditions for an 8-under 64 that gave him a two-shot lead in the American Express Championship.

Els emerged from his post-majors funk with one of his best rounds of the year, starting with four straight birdies and ending with a 10-foot putt to save par at Mount Juliet to move into position for his first World Golf Championship title.

"I knew it was going to be rough today," Els said. "I mean, 64 in these conditions ... it's one of the better rounds I've played this year. I haven't shot a low score for quite a while, so this was nice."

Els was at 11-under 133 after two rounds and led by two over Miguel Angel Jimenez (68) and Todd Hamilton (69), who beat Els in a four-hole playoff at Royal Troon to win the British Open.

Tiger Woods' back injury was much improved, but his putter went on the disabled list over the final nine holes. He three-putted twice, missed a couple of short ones and wound up with 19 putts on the back nine for a 70 that left him five shots behind.

"I putted so bad on the back nine that it cost me four shots," Woods said. "There's still a long way to go."

The road looks shorter with the Big Easy in command.

Els has played in Europe for a dozen years and knows not to expect anything in wacky weather. Still, he plays some of his best golf in the worst conditions, most notably his 72 in the third round at Muirfield that sent him on his way to the British Open title two years ago.

"I've seen most conditions. I just start learning after a while," Els said. "When it's like this, it's a good opportunity to do something, to maybe catch up."

Els, who started the second round three shots behind Hamilton, did better than that. And he wasted no time.

He birdied the first four holes, nearly making an ace on the par-3 third, and was in the lead before Hamilton even reached the first tee. Els went on to birdie six of his first 10 holes before finally dropping his only shot at the 11th when his 7-iron went long and he missed a 4-footer for par.

It looked like Saturday's final pairing might be a rematch of the final 40 holes at Royal Troon. Hamilton was second to Els most of the back nine until Jimenez made a late charge.

Jimenez, a four-time winner on the European tour this year, birdied the 16th from 25 feet and then knocked in a 50-foot eagle putt on the 17th. His final hole was equally impressive. From thick rough behind a mound with not much green to work with, he nearly holed the chip and made a 3-footer for par to get into the final group with Els.

Hamilton didn't make as many birdies as Els, but he was just as steady. He joined Luke Donald (71) as the only players to not make a bogey in the blustery conditions.

Thirteen players are within five shots of the lead.

Justin Leonard, desperate for a strong finish to his season to qualify for the Tour Championship, got some confidence with his putter and shot 68 to finish at 8-under 136.

U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen, Lee Westwood and Thomas Bjorn each shot 69 and were another stroke back at 137, along with Steve Flesch (70).

Woods was in a large group at 138 that included Brad Faxon (68) and local favorite Padraig Harrington (69).

There were a few more grimaces from Woods, although he said his back felt much better and he was able to take full swings with a more regular motion.

He made three long birdies on the front nine and was only one shot behind Els at the turn, but that all changed on the back nine. Woods three-putted for par from 70 feet on the 10th, then took a three-putt bogey on the 12th from 18 feet, missing his par putt from 4 feet.

"I feel much better," Woods said. "I was able to make somewhat of a swing."

But the cold weather didn't help. Players spent most of the day taking out their umbrella, putting on rain clothes, taking them off because of the warm sun, then putting them back on when it poured.

"I wish it was 90 and humid," Woods said. "That would be great. But obviously, that's not going to happen when you come to Ireland."