GOLF/WORLD CHALLENGE: Jim Furyk got off to a quick start and never let up, tying the tournament record with an eight-under-par 64 for a one-shot lead over Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Nick Price in the Target World Challenge.

"It was a great round," said Furyk, who was 14th on the PGA Tour money list this season with nearly $2.4 million.

"Being four-under early was a great start. I had a lull a little bit in the middle, but then I got it going again on the back nine - six birdies and an eagle."

Harrington and Price are tied for second after bogey-free opening-round 65s, one shot better than Davis Love.

Defending champion and tournament host Tiger Woods parred just two of the first 11 holes en route to a four-under 68.

AUSTRALIAN MASTERS:Australia's Steve Collins continued to defy some of golf's most promising players to card a second consecutive 68 and hold a three-stroke advantage after the second round of the Australian Masters at Huntingdale.

Collins, who led by two strokes overnight, began with two bogeys but then reeled off seven birdies, including five in six holes from the seventh, before carding a third bogey on the par-four 17th in his round of four-under-par 68.

Fellow countryman Adam Scott, who was seventh on the European Order of Merit this year, fired a 69 to take second place on five-under-par 139.

The 22-year-old was one stroke ahead of Australia's Gavin Coles who also had a 69 to be four-under-par on 140.

Britain's Nick Faldo, six times a major winner, carded a second consecutive 74 for a two-round total of four-over-par 148.

SUNSHINE TOUR: Darren Fichardt battled his way to a workmanlike level par 72 to retain his one-stroke lead in the Players Championship, while Mark McNulty moved into contention after the second round at the Royal Cape Golf Club yesterday.

Ireland's Tim Rice shot a six under-par 66 for a 140 total and he is joined by Cork's Padraig Dooley, who added a 74 for a 143 total, in the last two rounds.

However, Ireland's other three players in the field failed to make the cut. Gavin McNeill, second in last week's Nashua Masters and James Loughnane missed out by four shots on 149, while Ciaran McMonagle was three shots further back on 151 after a 77.

Fichardt was able to keep his grip on the lead at nine-under par 135 on a day when the lack of wind seemed to frustrate more than please him.

"The wind felt like it was there but the ball just seemed to fly through it. Hole after hole, it was tough," said Fichardt.