Furyk turns marathon into sprint up leaderboard

By Steve Keating

ST. LOUIS, Missouri (Reuters) - American Jim Furyk turned a marathon day into a sprint up the BMW leaderboard on Saturday, carding two sizzling rounds to grab a share of top spot with Colombian Camilo Villegas.

Forced to play 36 holes after the first round was washed out by rain on Thursday, Furyk rocketed into contention with a course record eight-under 62 and carried the momentum into the afternoon with tidy 66 to get to 12-under.

Despite his stellar play, Furyk was unable to shake off Villegas, who kept the pressure on with a four-under 66 and was working on a bogey-free third round going three-under through 13 holes when play was finally halted because of darkness.

"I'm a little tired," Furyk told reporters. "You know when you play 36 it's the last nine.

"Your concentration can wander off but I stayed focused out there.

"I'll be close, I gave myself a chance to win tomorrow."

Lurking two shots back of the leaders at 10-under was American Brian Gay, who quietly moved into contention with a second-round 67 and was also working on an error-free third round of four-under with three holes to play.

American Anthony Kim was one shot further adrift with one hole to complete.