Lahiri recovers from spasms to fight back at WGC

INDIA's ANIRBAN LAHIRI recovered from his back spasms to card an improved two-over 72 on the second day but remained static at tied 72nd in the World Golf Championships Bridgestone-Invitational in Akron Ohia. 

Lahiri, who was struck by back spasms on the front-nine in the first round, had struggled his way to a 77 on the opening day. 

Lahiri, winner of the Malaysian Open and the Hero Indian Open this season on European Tour, is now nine-over 149 for two rounds and placed way down in the 72nd place, exactly where he was after the first day. 

Meanwhile, Jim Furyk shot a second successive 66 and moved into lead at eight-under 132. The 45-year-old Furyk was four shots ahead of Shane Lowery (66), Bubba Watson (66) and Dustin Johnson (67). 

Jordan Spieth, who has never played well at Firestone, found an under-par round with 68 and is now tied eighth at two-under 138. 

Lahiri, who was hit by back spasms in the first round, said, "It got a lot better overnight and the warm weather helped. I enjoyed the sweat for a change." 

"When I worked up a sweat, it kind of got flushed out. I was moving good. I have got my yardage back, though my timing is slightly off in early parts of the round because of what happened yesterday," he added. 

As for the second round, the Indian said, "It was a silly round of golf, all of my dropped shots were kind of silly. I probably hit one bad shot, which deserved a bogey. Actually, I am not playing too badly, but having said that it is not good when you see a big number (referring to first round) like that on the scoreboard." 

Lahiri had some painkillers and saw the physio before his round and felt better as the day went on. 

"I am looking at these next two days to get some momentum to see how much I can go back to where I am. I will try to post a couple of scores in 60s and take it from there," he said.