Horschel Fires Second Straight 66 at Tour Championship


Coming off his win in last week's BMW Championship in Colorado, Billy Horschel is extending his recent outstanding stretch in the Tour Championship. The $8 million event - the season-ender on the PGA Tour - is taking place at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.

The 27-year-old Horschel began Friday tied for the lead with fellow American Chris Kirk - winner of the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston and the leader in the FedEx Cup Playoffs - after each carded 4-under 66s.

Horschel fired another 66 to reach 8-under 132, two strokes ahead of Kirk (68), Aussie Jason Day (67) and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy. The No. 1-ranked McIlroy fired the low round of the tournament so far, a 5-under 65 that included six birdies and a bogey.

The big news about Horschel, who came to Atlanta ranked No. 2 behind Kirk, is that instead of his getting into position for the biggest career victory, the Internet is abuzz about an agreement he made with his wife, Brittany, who's two weeks from delivering the couple's first baby.

"We have decided that if she goes into labor while I'm playing, I will just keep playing, because $10 million is a lot of money and I'm not going to pass that by," Horschel said.

"And I'll just fly home after the round and . . . spend some time with them. But right now the plan is not notify me while I'm on the golf course because I really don't - I would love to know, but sort of deviate from focus a little bit. I'll obviously get the information as I walk off 18 green if it does happen that way."

He added that Brittany is not only understanding but supportive of the decision. "My wife is totally on board," Horschel said. "My wife played golf at the University of Florida. She's a golfer. She understands what this victory and FedEx Cup playoffs and what it all means. I've probably got the greatest wife out here, in my mind."

One of the oddest moments Friday came when McIlroy's tee shot on the par-4 14th hole landed in the pocket of a spectator. After his drive nipped a tree on the right side of the fairway it dropped into the pocket of a fan who had ducked for cover. After finding out what happened, McIroy took free relief from where the fan was standing, hit the ball from the spot 145 yards out and onto the green, and two-putted for par.

"I got a lucky break there," McIlroy told reporters. "That ball could have went anywhere off that tree, and I was able to hit it on the green and make par there and keep the momentum going.''

Four behind Horschel in a tie for fifth at 136 are Kevin Na (66), Ryan Palmer (67), Cameron Tringale (68) and Jim Furyk (69). One stroke further back is Rickie Fowler, who had a 68.

England's Justin Rose rebounded from an opening 72 with a 66 to rise into 10th at 138 with Russell Henley (68), while another stroke back are 2011 FedEx Cup champion and Tour Championship winner Bill Haas and Matt Kuchar, who both carded 71s.

Sergio Garcia (71) of Spain and Bubba Watson (73) are tied for 14th at even-par 140. Watson, who opened with a 67 and came into the Tour Championship ranked third in the Cup standings, couldn't get untracked Friday. The reigning Masters' champion posted three birdies, three bogeys and a triple on the par-3 sixth hole.

Sharing 16th at 1-over 141 are Jordan Spieth (70), Adam Scott (72) and Patrick Reed (74).

Only the top-30 players in the Playoffs qualified for the Tour Championship. Because No. 30 Dustin Johnson is on indefinite leave, only 29 players are teeing it up Thursday in Atlanta.

Germany's Martin Kaymer and Texan Jimmy Walker carded 69s to tie for 19th at 142 with Japan's Hideki Matsuyama (71) and Iowan Zach Johnson (74).

Rounding out the leaderboard are Morgan Hoffman (73) at 143; Brendon Todd (75) at 145; Webb Simpson (72), Hunter Mahan (72) and Gary Woodland (75) at 146; John Senden (75) at 147, with fellow Aussie Geoff Ogilvy in 29th place after posting his second straight 77.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.