Oosthuizen and Stanley fired 6-under-par 66s on Friday to move to 9-under 135 and assume a two-stroke lead in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Oosthuizen picked up birdies on both par 3s on the back nine, and then hit his best shot on the first hole from deep in the woods on pine straw.
"Yeah, we're in a pretty good spot going into this weekend, but a lot of golf to be played around this golf course".
Cabrera Bello said he did not know if there was a Spanish secret to playing well at Sawgrass, where Garcia won nine years ago.
"There's been a lot of consistency this year", Stanley said.
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Graeme McDowell was in good shape on two under as he reached the turn, having started on the 18th, but a pair of bogeys in a birdie free front nine mean he finished on one under.
"I think that's where over the years you sort of learn to be patient around this golf course, and you know, don't try the hero shot all the time".
Singh would surpass Sam Snead, who was 52 when he won the 1965 Greater Greensboro Open, as the oldest victor in PGA Tour history if he were to claim a first victory since 2008.
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"My putting has been a little bit inconsistent, but from a ball-striking standpoint, I'm not really sure I can ask much more out of what I've been doing this year", said Stanley, whose putting this week has benefited from a posture adjustment. "A couple bogeys, but you can expect that to happen around here with as hard as the golf course is".
And it showed that Oosthuizen and Stanley were at their best. Those two will tee off at 2:50 p.m. ET.
Both players will try to hit it well Saturday as they attempt to fend off a host of challengers heading into Sunday's final round. Vijay Singh's 68 put him alone in fourth.
Anirban hit three shots into the water and made a 10 on the par-4 18th hole.
That left him at 72, seven shots behind.
Numerous big names have work to do, defending champion Jason Day trailing by seven shots, with Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy nine behind. All three players followed their opening round of two under par 70 with an even-par 72. Spieth's last hope ended with a tee shot that bounced at the back of the island-green 17th and into the water.
Mickelson was frustrated with his finish. You know, like I say, I've played well, and it's odd not to think about that I haven't won on United States soil. That's the same score posted by Masters champion Sergio Garcia, although he got to that number by firing 73-71 compared to Johnson's 71-73.
Phil Mickelson is also at 2-under. - Some star power moved onto The Players Championship leaderboard during Friday's second round - even if one of the contenders qualifies for AARP benefits. There is little doubt that Oosthuizen has one of the best swings in the sport, and he is also likely to stay hot with the putter. Still, this is the first time he's made a cut here in since 2012, and he'll start the weekend seven back of the leaders on a course where he's made magic before.
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