Jim Furyk Shoots 66, Leads WGC Bridgestone Invitational

After Friday’s second round at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, Jim Furyk holds a four-shot lead over an elite field of the world’s best 77 golfers. Furyk fired back-to-back rounds of 66 on Thursday and Friday and vaulted himself atop the leaderboard to eight-under par.

The 45-year-old American golfer fired a 33 on his front nine and then played his inward nine at two-under par 33 as well. Furyk, known for his consistency, certainly showed that aspect of his game on Friday, limiting his mistakes to only three bogeys. And with difficult conditions out on the course — gusting winds and fast greens — Furyk produced one of the best rounds of the day. According to stats provided by the World Golf Championship’s website, Jim hit eight out of 14 fairways and 12 out of 18 greens on Friday, and he currently leads the field in number of birdies made.

Furyk, who lost this event by one stroke back in 2012 after double bogeying the 72nd hole, has a legitimate opportunity to redeem himself with a victory this week. With a four-shot advantage heading into the weekend, Jim is in prime position to capture his first WGC Bridgestone Invitational victory.

According to reports by ESPN, Jim spoke to the media after his round and discussed his mindset and how he looked forward to continuing his stellar play throughout the weekend.

“I would say that I’m disappointed I’ve never won here. It’s one of my favorite courses we play. But to have, like, a chip on my shoulder? No. It’s another year and opportunity, and we’re only halfway. I’m going to try to do the same things this weekend and not really look at the leaderboard that much and go try to shoot under par.”

Furyk, who won earlier this year at the RBC Heritage, will certainly have his work cut out for him as he currently leads a host of elite golfers like two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson, American superstar Jordan Spieth, and U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell.

Jordan Spieth, probably the hottest golfer on the planet right now, has already emerged victorious at the Masters and the U.S. Open earlier this year, and missed the playoff at the Open Championship by a single stroke. Spieth fired a two-under par 68 on his second round and sits six shots back of the lead. Given his track record on the weekends at major events, Jordan is a golfer certainly capable of producing some fireworks and shooting low scores to vault himself into contention, making him perhaps one of the most dangerous golfers to watch this weekend.

With another 36 holes to be played and plenty of golf left, the world’s best golfers will tee off Saturday afternoon at Firestone Country Club with their sights set on raising the trophy come Sunday afternoon.

[Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images]