Anthony Kim's lead was cut to two strokes after the second round at the $US7 million ($A8.4 million) Tour Championship today.

Kim, who set a cracking pace with a first round 64, could not quite offer such an impressive encore, carding a one-under-par 69 at demanding East Lake.

"I still hit it pretty well, but just didn't get the putts to fall," the American said after posting a seven-under 133 halfway total.

Spaniard Sergio Garcia shot the day's best score, a 65, to leap into second place on five-under, with American Phil Mickelson (68) another stroke back.

Kim and Garcia met in the first singles match on the final day of the Ryder Cup last Sunday, with Kim's emphatic 5 and 4 victory setting the Americans on the road to victory.

Both could be excused for running out of emotional steam this week, but so far so good.

"My tank is on full, as long as I'm making birdies," said Kim. "I'm proud of the way I hung in there.

"There were a couple of opportunities for me to hang my head and I just kept plodding along and fortunately got out of there under par.

"It's a tough course. Nobody is going to shoot 61. Finishing with a bogey isn't the best feeling in the world but it's been a good day."

Garcia was four-over after six holes of the first round, but has been almost flawless since.

"I got off to a better start than yesterday," he said.

And he played down any suggestion he was out to get revenge on Kim after the Ryder Cup.

"It's a totally different event," he said.

Australian Robert Allenby bounced back from a poor first round, carding an impressive 66 to jump into a tie for eighth.

"I hit a lot more fairways today and gave myself a lot more opportunities for birdies, and rolled a couple in," said the Victorian, who is eight strokes off the pace.

Stuart Appleby, the only other Australian in the 30-man field, is another two strokes behind after a lacklustre 71.

AAP