Singh's lead cut to two shots

Chris DiMarco shook off last week's Ryder Cup disappointment to shoot Friday's best round at the 84 Lumber Classic, a 7-under 65, and put some pressure on leader Vijay Singh, who followed up his opening-round 64 with a steady-as-he-goes 68.

Singh leads 2003 British Open champion Ben Curtis by two shots with DiMarco another stroke back.

Singh actually had a bogey -- his only one in two days -- but opened with two straight birdies and added three more during a round that could have been even better if he hadn't missed several short putts.

Singh can set a PGA Tour season money record by winning the $756,000 first prize.

Singh played when scoring conditions were less favorable, after the Allegheny Mountain winds that gave shots some extra length died down in the afternoon and the greens became chewed up. He was one of the first players on the course Thursday, when he took advantage of prime scoring conditions with an eagle and six birdies for his 64.

"I'm quite happy," said Singh, who recently overtook Woods for the world No. 1 ranking. "I've got the weekend to go and there are a few more chances out there."
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DiMarco's 65 also came in the afternoon, after he took advantage of his later starting time to enjoy some much-needed sleep.

"The Ryder Cup was exhausting. ... Wednesday, I was out of it and Thursday it was still on my mind and I probably wasn't ready, but getting a good night's sleep really helped today. I hit a lot of solid shots and gave myself a lot of chances," DiMarco said.

The other two U.S. Ryder Cup members both made the cut, with David Toms at 3 under, nine off the lead, and Stewart Cink at 2 under.

Curtis, one of the most surprising major winners ever at the 2003 Open, has had consecutive 67s -- a much-welcomed start for a golfer who has missed the cut in five straight tournaments and seven of 11.

He has only one top-10 finish since the British Open, leading after two rounds of the Memorial Tournament before finishing eighth.

"It's going to be a long weekend," he said. "I haven't played 72 holes in a long time."

He played well Friday despite wearing Cleveland Browns colors -- the bright orange shirt was a giveaway -- in Pittsburgh Steelers country. He realizes he might not want to try that over the weekend, when the crowds figure to be larger.

"Hopefully, by this weekend, I will have some Steelers stuff," he said.

Singh is five shots up on Kent Jones, Joey Sindelar and J.P. Hayes, who are tied at 7 under. Sindelar and Hayes both had 69s Friday and Jones followed up a 69 with a 68, only the second time in 16 tournaments he has had consecutive rounds in the 60s.

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