Jim Furyk has built a four-shot edge at WGC-Bridgestone Invitational
Firestone Country Club’s South Course is a grind. Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that a grinder is in control of the World Golf Championships event it hosts.
Jim Furyk leads the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational by four shots after two rounds, sitting at 8-under 132 after a second-consecutive 66 in the morning wave.
Starting on the 10th hole, Furyk was even par through seven holes before a pair of birdies to end the side got him into the lead. On his second nine, Furyk again made a late rally, with three birdies in a four-hole stretch before dropping a shot on the ninth, his last of the day.
Furyk leads Shane Lowry (66), Bubba Watson (66) and Dustin Johnson (67), all who are on 4 under par.
First-round leader Danny Lee shot 72 on Friday to sit in a tie for fifth with Graeme McDowell and Henrik Stenson.
Jordan Spieth is tied for eighth with eight other golfers at 2 under par. If Spieth wins on Sunday, he’ll become the No. 1 player in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Despite the big lead, this title is no sure thing for Furyk, who has found heartbreaking ways to lose this event. In 2001, he lost a seven-hole, sudden-death playoff with Tiger Woods despite several good looks to win. In 2012, Furyk made a mess of the 72nd hole, handing the tournament to Keegan Bradley.
Though he’s never been able to break through at Firestone, the 45-year-old winner at Harbour Town earlier this year insists it’s not a looming issue heading into the weekend.
“I would say that I’m disappointed I’ve never won here,” Furyk said. “It’s one of my favorite courses we play. But to have like a chip on my shoulder? No. It’s another year and opportunity, and we’re only halfway. I’m going to try to do the same things this weekend and not really look at the leaderboard that much and go try to shoot under par.”
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
