Verplank carries lead at Tour Championship

HOUSTON -- Winning the Tour Championship would be a great way to cap off a remarkable return from injury.

Not just for Tiger Woods, but for Scott Verplank.

Woods only has to deal with an aching back, which he described Friday as a bruise that will be less painful as the week goes on. Verplank has had to overcome three elbow surgeries that nearly ended his career.

Four years after he had to go through qualifying school just to keep his PGA Tour card, Verplank is having his best season ever and moved into position to win his biggest event, the $5 million Tour Championship.

With six birdies and a momentum-saving par from the bunker on No. 16, Verplank had a 6-under 65 on calm, sticky Champions Golf Club and took a one-stroke lead over Bernhard Langer going into the weekend.

Mike Weir of Canada, one of eight players in the elite field who hasn't won this year, had a 66 and was another stroke back.

"I'm playing in a huge tournament against the best players in the world," Verplank said. "All that doesn't mean that much to me until Sunday. Hopefully, I'll have a chance to win, and if I do, I'll probably be excited about it. Up until that point, I'm just looking forward to playing."

Woods was glad to be playing, too, especially after injuring his lower right back in the fitness trailer on the eve of the season-ending tournament.

He at least was able to bend over to tee his ball Friday -- although he lifted his left leg, making it look like a curtsy -- and hit whatever shot was required.

Still, he was sore at the end of the round, and not just because of his back.

An otherwise solid round was spoiled when Woods three-putting from 40 feet on the 18th hole for his only bogey of the round. He tossed his putter at the bag as he left the green and was still steaming after signing for a 67.

"Just got a little sore toward the end," Woods said in response to the condition of his back, although he could have been referring to his emotional state, too.

"An ending like that ... just not feeling very good because I played well all day. To make a silly mistake at the end is not the way you want to cap off your round."

Langer, playing the Tour Championship for the first time since it was created in 1987, had a 68 and was at 133.

Mark Calcavecchia, contemplating surgery because of a foot that has been bothering him since May, had the best score of the day (64) and was at 135 with Justin Leonard (66).

Sergio Garcia, among six players who had a share of the lead at point during the second round, recovered from consecutive bogeys on the back nine for a 67 and was at 136.

Southern Farm Bureau Classic

MADISON, Miss. -- Brandt Jobe, fighting to keep his PGA Tour card, shot a 6-under 66 for a share of the second-round lead with Carl Paulson in the Southern Farm Bureau Classic.

Paulson also shot a 66 for an 11-under 133 total.

Jobe entered the tournament 126th on the money list, with the top 125 gaining full exemptions for 2002.

Dicky Pride (68), Heath Slocum (65), Andrew Magee (66), Fred Funk (69) and Chad Campbell (64) were a stroke back.

-- From wire reports