Bad vibes return: Furyk stumbles with wet finish on ‘Moving Day’

Associated PRess

johns creek, ga.

Jim Furyk has been mired in one of the worst slumps of his career.

With three swings Saturday, all the bad feelings came rushing back.

Furyk dumped his tee shot in the pond on the par-3 15th and two more balls in the water at the brutal 18th hole, taking a pair of double bogeys that put a severe crimp in his hopes at the PGA Championship.

On Moving Day, he was going the wrong way. Furyk struggled home with a 3-over 73, giving up five shots on the final five holes and going from a contender for the lead to a half-dozen strokes behind heading to the final round.

He didn’t speak with the media afterward, but his body language told it all. After his second ball splashed, Furyk’s knees buckled and he bent over as if he’d been punched in the stomach. He put his hands behind his head and stared at the ground, knowing his good play much of the week was largely undone by the brutal finish.

But things are looking up for guy who won the PGA the last time it was played at Atlanta Athletic Club in 2001.

David Toms went out early and posted a 65 for the best round of the day. He got rolling with a long eagle putt at the 12th, birdied the next two holes as well, then rolled in a 15-foot birdie at the 18th — the same hole that would bite Furyk — after just clearing the water with his approach.

Toms will head to the final round five shots behind surprising co-leaders Brendan Steele and Jason Dufner.

“Obviously it will take a great round,” Toms said.