Saturday, 4 August 2012:

Australian golfer John Senden is hoping the weekend winds pick up in Akron to boost his chances of victory in the World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational.

American veteran Jim Furyk shot a four-under par 66 in the second round to move to 11 under 129, good enough for a two shot lead over Spain's Rafael Cabrera Bello (65) and three clear of South African Louis Oosthuizen (65).

Leading Australian Senden dropped from a tie for third to a tie for eighth, seven shots off the pace after an even par 70 left him at four under 136, still in the mix, but in need of a charge on moving day.

If, as expected, the wind does arrive at Firestone Country Club then a Furyk procession becomes a much harder prospect.

It is something Senden is hoping for.

The Queenslander offset three birdies on Friday with three bogeys but still felt confident of a push into contention.

"I felt just as good as yesterday out there playing but the bogeys on 11 and one really stopped any sort of momentum during my round," Senden said.

"I feel good where I am still because I feel it's going to be breezy on the weekend and the golf course will be a different monster.

"Anything can happen here on a weekend and I know Furyk has gone low for two days but his even par round might be tomorrow, you never know how someone will handle the lead."

The 41-year-old has been boosted by new additions to his gallery with his parents in town from Australia and eight-year-old son Jacob joining wife Jackie by the ropes.

Jacob has travelled to events many times before but only now is he actually getting out to walk the round, rather than staying in day care.

"It's an absolute boost to have Jacob become part of the support team," Senden beamed.

"The full support team is out this week, with my parents over here as well, and it really is a help to me."

Senden admitted the sight of his son during a round would've created more nerves a few years ago, thinking about how much his life was dependant on his performance.

But with a new maturity and confidence he couldn't be happier with his biggest fan joining the links.

"Before I matured a little I perhaps would've seen them as added pressure," he said.

"It took me a long time to learn how to deal with thoughts like that but now I don't think about them as adding pressure I think about them as helping relieve it and the reality is if you want to be a part of the big stage there is always going to be pressure.

"The best athletes or businessman in the world accept it, embrace it and work through it.

"Jackie has been trying to get me to get Jacob out for a while now but I wanted him to be at an age where he could really get it, and really decide if he likes it.

"He's actually playing golf as well now so it's a great bonding experience for us."

Geoff Ogilvy (70) also failed to make a run at the leaders, but kept himself somewhat within striking distance at three-under in a tie for 12th.

Aaron Baddeley fired a 66 to get back under par for the tournament, but with 10 shots between the Victorian and the top spot it will take a very low weekend to contend.

Defending champion Adam Scott (+1), Marc Leishman (+2), Jason Day (+5), Greg Chalmers (+6) and Robert Allenby (+12) are all over par and likely out of contention.

Seven-time champion Tiger Woods has seemingly given up any chance of an eighth win and return to world No.1 after shooting 72 to be two-over and 13 strokes adrift of Furyk.

AAP