Furyk, Donald share lead after 2nd Round
September 25th 2010 13:51
Jim Furyk played bogey-free on the back nine at East Lake and shot a tournament-best 65 on Friday for a share of the 36-hole lead with Luke Donald of England, who had another 66.
A two-time winner on the PGA TOUR this year, Furyk began the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup at No. 3 in the standings. But in the opening event at The Barclays, he was disqualified for missing the pro-am when his alarm didn't go off. He slipped six spots, and didn't scare anyone the next two weeks to fall to No. 11.
But with the top players in the standings starting to fade, Furyk only has to win at East Lake to collect the $10 million FedExCup prize -- the biggest payoff in golf.
"It's a bunch of money," Furyk said. "The only thing I can really control is to go out and play good on the weekend, try to win the golf tournament. And at that point, there's nothing else I can do about it."
Furyk has a chance to join Tiger Woods as the only FedExCup champion to miss the first playoff event, although it wasn't by choice.
"I'd like to join him with about 16 majors, too," Furyk said. "But that doesn't look like it's in the cards."
Going into the weekend, the deck is stacked in his favor.
Donald did a great job scrambling whenever he struggled off the tee, and pieced together another 66 to join Furyk at 8-under 132. One shot behind was Geoff Ogilvy, who had seven birdies in his round of 67.
Ogilvy's biggest concern was the Australian Rules Football grand final in Melbourne with his beloved St. Kilda going for only its second championship. He planned to watch the game and worry about sleep some other night.
Saturday's third round, with tee times moved up because of NBC Sports' obligation to Notre Dame college football, could determine whether this FedExCup finale is a three-man race.
Ogilvy, at 7-under 133, was the only player within four shots of the leaders. K.J. Choi did well to stay close by knocking in a 45-foot birdie putt on the par-3 18th, one of only seven birdies on that hole through two rounds.
Phil Mickelson's hopes were fading. He had a chance to become the first repeat winner of THE TOUR Championship presented Coca-Cola, and even a runner-up finish would be enough to replace Woods at No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Mickelson, however, had a 72 and was tied for 13th, nine shots out of the lead.
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