Furyk bounces back at Heritage

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C., April 16 (UPI) -- Jim Furyk bounced back from a disappointing Masters Friday by grabbing a share of the lead midway through the Verizon Heritage.

Furyk, one of the pre-tournament favorites last week at the Augusta National Golf Club, shot rounds of 80-76 and missed the cut by nine shots.

He has produced rounds of 67-68 this week at the Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island and his 7-under 135 total tied him for the top spot with Charles Howell III and Greg Owen.

"Obviously it's the Masters, it's the first major. I really wanted to play well there, but it's not life or death," Furyk said. "I didn't feel nearly as bad as if I would have almost won the golf tournament and lost it on the last hole, I'll put it that way."

The co-leaders were a shot in front of Chad Campbell, Stuart Appleby, Bryce Molder, J.J. Henry and two-time Heritage champion Boo Weekley.

There were 21 players within two shots of the lead. The group at 137, tied for ninth, included former Masters champions Zach Johnson and Trevor Immelman.

The 36-hole cut came at even-par 142 and John Daly, playing on a sponsor's exemption, just made it.

Daly has survived the cut in his last three PGA Tour appearances as he tries to rebuild his career.