OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. – Now the 103rd U.S. Open really begins.

The headliners to yesterday’s second round were the leaders at 7-under-par – Vijay Singh and his 7-under 63, tying a U.S. Open record, and Jim Furyk, who followed his first-round 67 with a 66. Each set an Open record for lowest 36-hole score at 133.

The standout play of Singh and Furyk was indicative of how unusually easy the course is playing for a USGA set-up, considering that they’re usually rather sadistic.

An absurd 27 players enter the weekend with sub-par scores. There were 38 rounds below par shot yesterday.

“The golf course is there for the taking,” said Thursday’s hero, Tom Watson, who’s four shots off the lead at 3-under. “The USGA is trying to protect par and they’re having a ahrd time because of the softness of the greens. I can’t remember when the scoring has been this good in a U.S. Open.”

The cut yesterday was 3-over-par. The cut a year ago at Bethpage, where winner Tiger Woods at 3-under-par was the only player to finish below par, was 10-over.

Speaking of Woods, he’s lurking ominously in the Olympia Fields Country Club’s semi-rough waiting to pounce.

Woods, saying he felt much more comfortable with his swing yesterday, is pursuing his second consecutive U.S. Open, third overall and ninth career major to position himself at the halfway point to Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 majors.

You can almost feel another low number coming from him today, which is the unofficial “moving day” in golf tournaments, particularly majors.

“I feel pretty good,” Woods said. “Any time you’re under par at a U.S. Open after two days you’ve got a chance. I’m right where I need to be.”

Woods followed his cautious even-par 70 in the first round with a 4-under 66 yesterday and is only three shots off the pace Singh and Furyk have set. For Woods in a major, a three-shot deficit can be erased as quickly as you can say intimidation.

The compelling subplot surrounding Singh is that, despite playing well of late and even winning, he fired his caddie, Paul Tesori before the Open and re-hired David Renwick, who carried his bag when he won both of his majors – the 1998 PGA and the 2000 Masters.

“I just needed a change, although I was playing very well,” said Singh, who won the Byron Nelson just a few weeks ago with Tesori onthbe bag. “I’ve had success in the majors with Dave, so bringing him on the bag I just thought would do me some good.”

What hasn’t done Singh any good is the way he’s been villified of late for being so outspoken against Annika Sorenstam playing in the Colonial. His frank comments, which were hardly politically correct, drew a firestorm of criticism.

And then, when Sorenstam both played and represented herself so well, winning over previous detractors, Singh was further ostracized.

Singh, who coincidentally withdrew from the Colonial after winning the Nelson, insisted that he’s avoided the distractions.

“I’ve focussed on what I’m doing and that’s playing the golf course and the golf tournaments,” Singh said. “I just don’t let things like that bother me. I’m more focused on what I’m doing and I let everything else take care of itself.”

Singh’s afternoon 63 was, indeed, evidence that he can block out distractions.

Furyk’s morning 66 was evidence just how hot he is this year, having already bagged 10 top-10 finishes, including seven top-6 finishes.

It was rather ironic that Furyk, a highly successful player who’s still seeking his first major championship, was paired with Phil Mickelson the last two days.

Mickelson, who stands at even-par for the tournament, is universally known as “The Best Player Never to Win a Major because of his 21 wins, numerous close calls and 0-for-43 streak.

Furyk, a seven-time winner on Tour, is the next rung down from Mickelson. In fact, if and when Mickelson breaks the scnheid, Furyk might be next in line.

LEADERBOARD

Jim Furyk+67-66 – 133

Vijay Singh+70-63 – 133

Stephen Leaney+67-68 – 135

Jonathan Byrd+69-66 – 135

Eduardo Romero+70-66 – 136

Nick Price+71-65 – 136

Fredrik Jacobson+69-67 – 136

Tiger Woods+70-66 – 136

Justin Leonard+66-70 – 136

Robert Damron+69-68 – 137

Tom Watson+65-72 – 137

Notables missing the cut

144 (+4) – Jose Maria Olazabal; 146 (+6) Jeff Maggert, Scott Hoch; 147 (+7) – Jay Haas, Bob Tway, Bob Estes, Rocco Mediate; 148 (+9) Corey Pavin, Tom Kite, Larry Mize; 150 (+10) – Rich Beem, Nick Faldo, David Duval, Brad Faxon; 151 (+11) – Davis Love III; 152 (+12) – Scott McCarron