DUBLIN, Ohio — Rory Sabbatini hadn’t strung together two good rounds in months.

Thanks to practice, positive thinking, patience — and a touch of Bob Marley — he’s sitting atop the leaderboard at the Memorial.

“It’s definitely been a challenge over the last couple of months,” said Sabbatini, who had missed the cut in eight of his last 12 starts. “It’s been frustrating. For a couple weeks now it’s definitely felt like things have been there but I really just haven’t been putting the numbers up. It’s great to finally see a little bit of reward for the work that we’ve put in.”

The South African shot his second 69 in as many days on Friday at Jack Nicklaus’ tournament to take a one-shot lead over old nemesis Tiger Woods, along with Scott Stallings and Spencer Levin.

Of course, Sabbatini had famously feuded with Woods years ago. After losing to Woods by four shots at the 2007 Wachovia Championship, Sabbatini said, “The funny thing is after watching (Woods) play on Sunday, I think he’s more beatable than ever.”

Woods discounted the comment and later beat Sabbatini in a head-to-head matchup — shooting a 65 to Sabbatini’s 74 — in the final round of the Bridgestone later that summer.

Woods and Sabbatini won’t be paired in the third round. Sabbatini plays with Levin and Woods with Stallings.

Stallings, the first-round leader, sagged to a 73, while Levin shot a 72 in the gusting winds.