Jim Furyk takes 4-stroke lead at Bridgestone Invitational

Jim Furyk posted a second consecutive 4-under-par 66 and moved out to a four-stroke lead Friday after two rounds of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.

Furyk built a six-shot advantage at one point with three birdies during a four-hole stretch but bogeyed his final hole for the second day in a row to finish at 8-under 132 on Firestone Country Club's South Course.

Tied for second at 4 under were Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson and Shane Lowery of Ireland. Watson and Lowry matched Furyk's 66 and Johnson shot a 67.

The 45-year-old Furyk has come close to winning the tournament twice in 16 appearances, losing a seven-hole playoff with Tiger Woods in 2001 and by one shot to Keegan Bradley in 2012 after making double bogey on the final hole.

"I would say that I'm disappointed I've never won here," said Furyk, a longtime Pittsburgh Steelers fan who will attend the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday night in nearby Canton as a guest of Jerome Bettis. "It's another year and opportunity, and we're only halfway."

First-round leader Danny Lee of New Zealand slipped back with a 2-over 72 and was at 3 under after 36 holes. Joining Lee at 3 under were Graeme McDowell (71) of Northern Ireland and Henrik Stenson (69) of Sweden.

A sizable group at 2 under included Jordan Spieth, the reigning Masters and U.S. Open champion who carded a 68, and Jason Day (69) of Australia, Justin Rose (71) of England and Sergio Garcia (67) of Spain.

British Open champion Zach Johnson shot a second straight 70 and was tied for 20th at par.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy, the world's No. 1-ranked player, missed the tournament because of an ankle injury but has committed to play next week in the PGA Championship, the final major of the year.

The PGA on Friday placed McIlroy in a group with Spieth and Johnson that has a first-round tee time of 2:20 p.m. ET next Thursday at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis.