Furyk enjoys lead, playing with boyhood idol Swann

Taking the second-round lead at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am was a thrill for Jim Furyk, though it didn't really compare to the thrill of playing with one of his boyhood idols.

Furyk birdied his final three holes for a 6-under-par 66 Friday, moving one stroke atop a crowded leaderboard while teaming up with former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Lynn Swann.

First-round leader Kevin Sutherland was among five players sitting one stroke back, with Davis Love III and five-time Pebble Beach champion Mark O'Meara two strokes off the pace.

An impressive round at Poppy Hills was nothing for Furyk compared to his trip behind the Steel Curtain this weekend. Furyk grew up in Pennsylvania as a huge Steelers fan, and he still holds season tickets in Pittsburgh.

Many pros are quietly annoyed by the pro-am format and the resulting six-hour rounds at Pebble Beach, but Furyk arranged his pairing with Swann several months ago. He resisted the urge to reminisce about Super Bowl triumphs with the Hall of Famer, however.

"I wanted to be his partner if he was going to play," said Furyk, who was at 7-under 137 after two rounds. "I figure on my days off, I don't want to talk about golf, so I haven't quizzed him too much. "

Paul Stankowski, Tim Herron, Rod Pampling and Tom Lehman joined Sutherland at 6 under.

Champions Tour

Bobby Wadkins overcame back spasms over the final six holes to take a two-shot lead in the opening round of the Royal Caribbean Classic.

Wadkins had two bogeys and eight birdies in the first full-field event on the Champions Tour, formerly known as the Senior PGA Tour.

Wadkins shot a 4-under 68 to finish two shots ahead of Christie O'Connor.

John Jacobs, who won the even last year, shot 71.-- From wire reports