Jim Furyk may have only lived in the Pittsburgh area (Uniontown) for five years - from age 2 to 7 - but that doesn't matter to local fans who have taken him in this week as one of their own.

"I've received a lot of support from the gallery," said Furyk, who following his round on Friday.

One of the most popular golfers on tour, Furyk gets a positive reception wherever he plays.

"A lot of family and friends are here to watch me and the event," he said. "To have the Open here is a lot of fun. I just wish I would've played better today (Friday)."

Furyk shot 5-over Friday and stands at 6-over heading into the weekend.

When asked about his round on Friday, Furyk said: "I'm not happy with a 75. I'm disappointed. I felt like I played pretty well (Thursday). I got off to a rough start today and I finished poorly, so in between I played some good golf."

Furyk continued: "I didn't hit enough fairways today and didn't knock in enough putts from inside 10 feet and I should've been able to get that round in at 72 or 73 and kept myself a little bit closer to the lead."

Furyk will be around for the weekend. The cut after Friday's round is 10 strokes behind the leader.

The leaders, as of 5 p.m. Friday, were at even par or 1 over. That would make the cut 10 or 11 over. At 6 over, Furyk is safe.

Furyk finsihed tied for second at last year's U.S. Open at Winged Foot.

In his 2003 U.S. Open victory at Olympia Fields Country Club, Furyk was fifth after day one and first after both Friday and Saturday.

UP PERISCOPE:

Over the first two days of competition, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson commanded large crowds wherever they went.

Crowds crammed grandstands and lined up five or six deep around greens and along fairways.

To see these stars of the golf world, many fans bought periscope-shaped devices that includes a binocular feature with zoom capabilities.

Sold at the merchandise tent for $80, the periscopes rise one to two feet over the heads of spectators in front of the user for a clear view of the golfers.

Workers at the smaller merchandise tent near the 18th green said the periscopes have been flying off the shelves.

The periscopes were invented by the father of Phil Mickelson. More information about the devices can be found at www.mickelsongroup.com.

By Michael Love
Sports editor
The Advance Leader