PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., March 24 (UPI) -- Jim Furyk ground out a 1-under 71 Friday, good for a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the $8 million Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Furyk had a 36-hole total of 8-under 136, a stroke in front of Stephen Ames and 2004 champion Adam Scott.
Gusty winds plagued the afternoon starters, including Furyk. He recorded two early birdies and then had to battle to keep the lead on the famed TPC-Sawgrass Stadium Course.
First-round co-leader Davis Love III, with whom Furyk was paired, soared to an 83 and missed the cut.
Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia and K.J. Choi were tied for fourth at 6-under 138. Defending champion Fred Funk was among a group tied at 139, and Tiger Woods was tied for 20th place at 141.
It took a score of 144 to make the cut -- and among those missing out were David Toms, former champion Justin Leonard and current U.S. Open titleholder Michael Campbell.
