Scott Hoch ran off four birdies in a row during the midst of a round of 65 yesterday boosted him one shot in front of Jim Furyk after 36 holes of the $4 million Tour Championship in Houston.

The leader after the first round Jasper Parnevik, trying out a new swing, had a poor round of 73 for an overall 139.

Hoch, at age 41, is having his best year by far on the PGA circuit and could reach $2 million in earnings this season with a victory at the Champions Golf Club this week.

He reached 9-under 133 midway through the tournament with Furyk finishing the day at 134 after a round of 68 that included a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole.

Mark Calcavecchia and David Duval, who is looking for his third straight victory, were at 7-under 135 - one shot in front of Davis Love III and Brad Faxon. Tiger Woods was among those at 5-under.

Hoch birdied the eighth, ninth, 10th and 11th holes and then birdied the 13th as well to get to 10-under. But he hit a poor drive at the par-4th 18th, wound up short of the green with his second, hit an excellent pitch shot to within five feet and then missed the putt.

"I've been playing well since I got here," said Hoch, the fourth leading money winner on the tour this year. I've been driving it well and hitting a lot of good shots and giving myself some opportunities. The difference today was that when I made a good read, I made a good putt.

"It seemed that I was putting for birdie from 10 feet all day."