No let-up in furious pace set by Furyk at Firestone

WGC-BRIDGESTONE: Second round of 66 sets impressive half-way mark

American Jim Furyk took command of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational yesterday as he looked to make amends for a number of near-misses at Firestone Country Club.

Furyk carded a second consecutive 66 in Akron to set the clubhouse target on eight under par.

Ireland’s Shane Lowry made a determined move through the field with a 66 to add to his opening round of 70.

Henrik Stenson, Graeme McDowell and first-round leader Danny Lee were one shot further back on three under.

Furyk, 45, has recorded nine top-10 finishes in the event, including five in a row from its inception in 1999, and memorably lost a seven-hole play-off to Tiger Woods in 2001.

The world number six also squandered a one-shot lead with one hole to play in 2012, carding a double bogey from the middle of the 18th fairway to lose out by a shot to Keegan Bradley.

Despite a good opening round, Furyk received some tips from his father and coach Mike on Thursday evening and told Sky Sports 4: “I think I’ve found a way to get the ball in the hole.

“I drove the ball better today but I definitely hit my share of poor golf shots, just managed to put them in good spots and get up and down when I needed to,” he added.

“I also made a lot of birdies, I think 13 in two days, and that covers up some mistakes as well.”

Stenson carded four birdies and three bogeys in his 68.

McDowell could only add a second round of 71 to his opening 66 as he looked to improve on a poor season which has produced just one top-10 finish.

“I started on the back nine and did not play very well to be honest,” McDowell told Sky Sports 4.

“I didn’t hit many fairways and was scrambling and scrambling and hung in there incredibly well.

“I actually hit it well on the second nine but made a silly six on the second when I was 25 feet away for eagle, putted it up and it came back off the green,” he said.

Lee Westwood, Justin Rose and double-major winner Jordan Spieth were a shot behind McDowell on two under.

Spieth finished his 68 in style with a birdie on the ninth thanks to a low, running approach from the rough to three feet.

Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher improved 10 shots on his disappointing opening round of 77.

Meanwhile, Ian Poulter carded a 72 to follow his first-round 68.

Open champion Zach Johnston matched his first round 70 with another par performance.

Padraig Harrington shot another 72.

Picture: Getty. Jim Furyk on his way to shooting another 66.