Simpson, who is seeking his third win in six competitions and has a shot at beating Luke Donald to the PGA tour money title, was nearly flawless mixing eight birdies one bogey.

A trio of Americans, Scott McCarron, Billy Horschel and Martin Piller, were all a stroke off the lead heading into Friday's second round.

The tight leaderboard also featured 10 players, including Argentine Angel Cabrera, South African Louis Oosthuizen, Swede Richard Johnson, Canadian David Hearn and Australians Nick O'Hern and Matt Jones a further shot back at five under par.

Simpson won the Deutsche Bank Championship last month after winning the Wyndham Championship in August and said the money title was on his mind.

"There is no way I can go play this golf tournament without thinking about the money title. I'm thinking about it every day," said Simpson. "But I'm not over every shot thinking this is the money title. I am just trying my best to get focused on winning the tournament though, as opposed to the money list."

Simposn's form may prompt Donald to consider playing in the final event of the season in Lake Buena Vista, Florida to try and secure his top spot. Donald must decide by Friday if he intends to compete in the event.

Miller, who came into the tournament in a vastly different mood having missed his last seven cuts, found his form in time to card five birdies and an eagle in a flawless round.

"I don't really know where this came from ... I really had no expectations," Miller told reporters.

"Travelling to seven different cities and missing seven cuts in a row, I mean, that's hard. It has been a challenge for me just to stay happy and keep going." Unheralded Kumar  leads   Indian Open

In New Delhi, India's Chiragh Kumar raced to a three-shot lead Friday to put himself in a good position to secure a dream victory after the second round of the Hero Indian Open.

He battled to a solid five-under-par 67 to retain his overnight lead with a two-day total of 13-under-par 131 at his home course, the Delhi Golf Club.

Australia's David Gleeson, a two-time Asian Tour winner, eagled two holes for 66 to lie in second while Chapchai Nirat of Thailand was a further two shots back in third after his blemish-free round of 67.

Scotland's Ross Bain, Scott Barr of Australia and Nam Young of Korea were tied in fourth place on 137 in the $1.25 million Asian Tour event.

Kumar, a 2006 Asian Games silver team medallist, surprised even himself after shooting another superb round to lead the chasing pack going into the weekend rounds.

"I really didn't expect to shoot another low number but I'm glad I did. The Indian Open is such a big tournament for us and it has grown tremendously. It is like a fifth Major to all the Indian players," said the 27-year-old.

Kumar turned in 34 before adding three birdies on his homeward nine, highlighted by a huge 20-foot par putt on the sixth hole.

"That kept the momentum going as I was able to birdie the next two holes. It was a really good putt," said Kumar.

Gleeson continued to climb up the leaderboard courtesy of two eagles on holes one and eight which he sank from 10 and 20 feet respectively.

"There are 36 holes to go and I got a lot of work to do to keep in contention. There are a lot of guys who still have a chance to make a charge and get close to winning the tournament," said Gleeson, who finished second at the Macau Open last month.

Three-time Asian Tour winner Chapchai, who holds the world 72-hole scoring record with a 32-under-par 256 total, posted five birdies in a bogey-free round without using a driver.

Dubai-based Bain got off to a fast start when he holed a monster eagle putt on the first hole from 35 feet before turning in 34. He could not buy a putt on his homeward nine and returned with two bogeys.

"I started like a house on fire which was nice. I'm a bit disappointed not to keep it going. I hit a couple of sloppy shots that cost me a few bogeys. I wasn't as sharp as I wanted to be," said the 35-year-old, who is seeking his maiden Asian Tour win.