<p>Veteran Jim Furyk, hunting his first PGA Tour victory in two years, took advantage of a sizzling start to grab a one-shot lead in Friday’s second round of the elite Tour Championship. <br /><br /></p>.<p>While tournament favourite Rory McIlroy carded a two-under-par 68 to stay on track for FedExCup playoff honours and the mind-boggling bonus of $10 million, Furyk birdied seven of the first 10 holes on the way to a best-of-the week 64. <br /><br />On a steamy day at East Lake Golf Club, American Furyk scorched the front nine in six-under 29 with a stunning display of pinpoint approach shots before finding the going much tougher after the turn. <br /><br />He offset birdies at the 10th, 15th and 17th with bogeys at the 13th, 16th and par-three last to post a seven-under total of 133 in the PGA Tour’s fourth and final playoff event. <br />"To be able to write 'three' on your card nine times in the first 11 holes was a lot of fun," said a smiling Furyk.<br /><br />"I struggled to kind of keep that momentum going the last six holes, but I feel like I played a real solid round of golf. My iron game was as good as it's been all year on the front nine.<br /><br />"I've got myself in good position for the weekend, and I'm a lot closer to the top of the (FedExCup) leaderboard than I was starting on Thursday. I'm in good spirits,” he said.<br /><br />Britain’s Justin Rose, co-leader overnight with twice winner Tiger Woods in the elite 30-man field after opening with a 66, was alone in second place after sinking a five-foot birdie putt at the last for a 68. <br /><br />Masters champion Bubba Watson birdied two of the last three holes for a 66 to finish at five-under, level with fellow American Bo Van Pelt (68) and one ahead of Dustin Johnson (67) and Matt Kuchar (69), also of the United States. <br /><br />Northern Irishman McIlroy, who is seeking a fifth PGA Tour victory this year, and his fourth in just five starts, was a further stroke back at three-under while Woods battled to a 73 for a one-under total. <br /><br />Furyk has not triumphed on the PGA Tour since he clinched the Tour Championship and FedExCup honours in 2010 and to complete the ‘double’ this week he needs a lot to go his way. <br /><br />Among several requirements, FedExCup points leader McIlroy would have to finish 12th or worse and second-ranked Woods fifth or worse. <br /><br />Any of the top five players in the standings would secure the playoff title by winning the Tour Championship on Sunday - and that quintet comprises McIlroy and Americans Woods, Nick Watney, Phil Mickelson and Brandt Snedeker. However, McIlroy remained in overall control of FedExCup honours after eagling the par-five 15th on the way to a 68 that also included a birdie and a bogey.<br /></p>
<p>Veteran Jim Furyk, hunting his first PGA Tour victory in two years, took advantage of a sizzling start to grab a one-shot lead in Friday’s second round of the elite Tour Championship. <br /><br /></p>.<p>While tournament favourite Rory McIlroy carded a two-under-par 68 to stay on track for FedExCup playoff honours and the mind-boggling bonus of $10 million, Furyk birdied seven of the first 10 holes on the way to a best-of-the week 64. <br /><br />On a steamy day at East Lake Golf Club, American Furyk scorched the front nine in six-under 29 with a stunning display of pinpoint approach shots before finding the going much tougher after the turn. <br /><br />He offset birdies at the 10th, 15th and 17th with bogeys at the 13th, 16th and par-three last to post a seven-under total of 133 in the PGA Tour’s fourth and final playoff event. <br />"To be able to write 'three' on your card nine times in the first 11 holes was a lot of fun," said a smiling Furyk.<br /><br />"I struggled to kind of keep that momentum going the last six holes, but I feel like I played a real solid round of golf. My iron game was as good as it's been all year on the front nine.<br /><br />"I've got myself in good position for the weekend, and I'm a lot closer to the top of the (FedExCup) leaderboard than I was starting on Thursday. I'm in good spirits,” he said.<br /><br />Britain’s Justin Rose, co-leader overnight with twice winner Tiger Woods in the elite 30-man field after opening with a 66, was alone in second place after sinking a five-foot birdie putt at the last for a 68. <br /><br />Masters champion Bubba Watson birdied two of the last three holes for a 66 to finish at five-under, level with fellow American Bo Van Pelt (68) and one ahead of Dustin Johnson (67) and Matt Kuchar (69), also of the United States. <br /><br />Northern Irishman McIlroy, who is seeking a fifth PGA Tour victory this year, and his fourth in just five starts, was a further stroke back at three-under while Woods battled to a 73 for a one-under total. <br /><br />Furyk has not triumphed on the PGA Tour since he clinched the Tour Championship and FedExCup honours in 2010 and to complete the ‘double’ this week he needs a lot to go his way. <br /><br />Among several requirements, FedExCup points leader McIlroy would have to finish 12th or worse and second-ranked Woods fifth or worse. <br /><br />Any of the top five players in the standings would secure the playoff title by winning the Tour Championship on Sunday - and that quintet comprises McIlroy and Americans Woods, Nick Watney, Phil Mickelson and Brandt Snedeker. However, McIlroy remained in overall control of FedExCup honours after eagling the par-five 15th on the way to a 68 that also included a birdie and a bogey.<br /></p>
