‘‘I know how much it hurt last week, but the injections have hit the spot because I can’t feel a thing ... which is good,’’ Day said.

Day injured his back practising tirelessly for a week before the Palmer event in an attempt to improve his biggest weakness – iron play.

The 31-year-old feels his graft has paid dividends, hitting an impressive 29 of 36 greens in regulation for the first two rounds at Sawgrass.

Day has also been accurate from the tee, finding 21 of 28 fairways. ‘‘I’ve really tried to watch my tempo with the irons,’’ Day said.

‘‘In years past, I’ve gone at the ball too hard, especially with the full swing.

‘‘I’m not trying to hit it as hard now and I feel like I’ve gained a little bit more control from that.’’

Day’s countryman and 2004 Players winner Adam Scott also climbed up the leaderboard with a 69, elevating him to five under.

‘‘I want a really good round tomorrow, get to double digits under par, I can tee off Sunday knowing I have a legitimate chance to win,’’ Scott said.

Marc Leishman (73, even par) bogeyed two of his last five holes to miss the one-under 36-hole cut, while Aaron Baddeley (73, four over) also exited early.

Meanwhile, two-time Players winner Tiger Woods rinsed his tee shot and his subsequent third shot from the drop zone at the famous par-three 17th. Woods then two-putted for a seven after his fifth shot found the 17th’s iconic island green, but salvaged a 71 for a three-under total.

‘‘I was pretty ticked, no doubt about that,’’ Woods admitted after his round. ‘‘The first [shot] from the regular tee was good; it just flew a little bit too far.’’

AAP