By Tommy Braswell
Special to PGATOUR.com

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. -- Fred Funk's golf game has never been a fashion statement. Playing in the power era of golf, the short, down-the-middle guy has plodded his way to a career that has aged like a fine wine.

Funk fired a 5-under-par 66 Friday in the second round of the 2006 Verizon Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links and pulled himself into contention midway through the tournament. Funk, at 8-under-par 134, made his move with something missing in his swing.

"Today was kind of a magical day," Funk said. "Yesterday I hit it exceptionally well coming in. The last five or six holes, I changed up my swing keys a little bit and it really worked coming in. I made three birdies on the last five holes and could have birdied them all.

"Today I was great on the range and then got on the golf course and none of the same keys worked. I really struggled hitting the ball solid. Then I kind of figured out with my tee shots on the back nine, but I couldn't hit my irons very solid.

"Eighteen was a typical example. I had a 7-iron in, probably could have hit an 8-iron. But I hit 7-iron to get over the bunker. Long was the miss, not short. I missed so bad it came back in the bunker and I made a great up and down."

Funk said most players have two or three swing thoughts to key on.

"I need a bigger key ring now," he said. "I've developed so many different swing keys and keep bouncing back and forth. Most of them are all about transition thoughts, what to do to initiate downswing. I've had a lot of trouble with it here recently. I actually thought I found it at Bay Hill (Club & Lodge). I played really good at Bay Hill and solid tee to green at (the) TPC (Sawgrass). At Augusta last week, there was nothing. Yesterday was really good, then today it wasn't. That's the problem. It's been a bounce back and forth. I haven't been able to sit on one and it always works."

Funk has a tie for 10th at the Bay Hill Invitational Presented by MasterCard and tie for 16th at THE PLAYERS Championship. But he missed the cut last week in the Masters.

As much as he struggled with his ball-striking, though, Funk's putting was dead-on. He employed the "claw" stroke and needed only 23 putts on the small, flat Harbour Town greens.

"My putting was really good," Funk said. "It's really nice to say that because I haven't been able to say that all year long. I think I'm like (180th) in putting. And normally I feel like I'm a good putter.

"I switched to the claw this week. That's probably the biggest changed. I've used it before, but I abandoned it a few years ago and only used it in a couple of rounds."

Funk said he is not embarrassed by the unusual putting grip made famous by Chris DiMarco.

"I guess there's not a right way or a wrong way to putt anymore as long as it goes in the hole. It seems there's no stigma attached to anyone who putts any way other than conventional. There's basically no conventional way to putt any more. It's nice to get over it and nobody goes 'Oh boy! What's he doing?'"

Fred Funk finished sixth at Harbour Town in 2004. (Ehrmann/ WireImage)

Funk said the first time he used the "claw" stroke was at the Buick Open in Michigan. He went to the stroke and was 8 under through his last 11 holes after making the switch.

"I said this is great. Then the next day I had 37 putts with it. So much for finding the secret," Funk said. "But right now I'm really putting well with it. I made some really nice short putts. I made some real bombs with it. It's feeling good."

Funk, who turns 50 June 14, said he hopes to continue playing in the Verizon Heritage even after making the transition to the Champions Tour, and with the win in the 2005 PLAYERS Championship will continue to have that option for years to come.

Can a 50-year-old still win? Five players have won PGA TOUR events at age 50 or older, with Craig Stadler's win in the 2003 B.C. Open the most recent occurrence.

"Absolutely. Even a 49-year-old," Funk said. "I don't think age is a factor out here on the TOUR that much. As long as you keep yourself in pretty good shape and you're healthy."