Despite workload, Furyk determined to stay fit

Jim Furyk is determined to stay fit and fresh as he continues his four-week stint at some of the year's biggest events.

Defending champion Jim Furyk of the U.S. gestures after teeing off on the 10th hole during the Pro-Am round at the Canadian Open golf tournament at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville July 23, 2008.
   REUTERS/Mike Cassese   (CANADA)
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AKRON // Jim Furyk is determined to stay fit and fresh as he continues his four-week stint at some of the year's biggest events. Having tied for fifth place behind Padraig Harrington at Royal Birkdale in the Open Championship and then placed 14th in defence of his Canadian Open title last weekend, Furyk makes his ninth appearance at Firestone Country Club for the World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational.

With the PGA Championship, the final major of the year, coming up next week, the American is mindful of the toll four big tournaments could take but after practicing over just nine holes, the 2003 US Open champion said he was taking a common sense approach. "It's a tough stretch, but that's kind of dwelling on the negative," said Furyk. "It's something I knew I was going to do all year. Four in a row is not that bad.

"I think by the time the (season-ending) TOUR Championship is over, that will be a lot, a lot of weeks in a row. During that week I'll be looking forward to the end of it all. "But it's not really that I have to overcome anything. I try to pace myself. I played nine holes today, light practice. I make sure I'm not out there for eight hours beating balls and wearing myself down, so it's just something I have to do in this stretch to make sure I'm fresh and ready to go on Thursday."

Furyk, 38, feels at home at Firestone's South Course, having scored six top-10 finishes in his eight starts there. "I always like coming here," he said. "It's a traditional golf course, goes back and forth; got to hit some shots, got to put the ball in the fairway. "It reminds me of where I grew up in Pennsylvania. I appreciate the fact that it's not just tee it up and let it fly on every hole. You've actually got to hit the fairway and power some shots and work it.

"The rough won't be as penal this year, but it'll still be a much better golf course to play out of the fairway. It's not mindless where you can just bomb it and hit it and go find it again." "It's always been one of my top five courses on Tour for me, as far as ones that I really like. I've played well here in the past." * PA Sport