. Its important to him that hes got to pick it up.___AP N

DUBLIN, Ohio -- Paul Casey expected to be chasing someone Friday in the Memorial, figuring it would be Rory McIlroy. Charlie Gehringer Jersey . After two holes, Casey had the lead to himself at Muirfield Village, and that was only the start of another big day. He took advantage of the par 5s for another 6-under 66, giving him a three-shot lead over Masters champion Bubba Watson going into the weekend. McIlroy, whose 63 was the lowest first round in the 39-year history of the tournament, was barely in the picture. He was 15 shots worse with a 78, courtesy of three straight double bogeys and his fourth straight PGA Tour event with a nine-hole score of 40 or higher. McIlroy went from a three-shot lead to nine shots behind. "To be honest, I thought I was going to be playing a round to try and maybe catch a couple of guys," Casey said. "I woke up checking the scores to see what Rory was going to be. Thats really what I was going to be doing -- see how many under I was going to have to try to shoot to chase. Obviously, that didnt happen." Casey, taking another step on a long road back from injuries that nearly derailed his career, was at 12-under 132. He made his first birdie with his best drive of the day on the par-5 11th, setting up a 4-iron onto the green for a two-putt birdie. He made eagle on the par-5 15th hole for the second straight day, and he stuffed it close around the turn for birdies to start pulling away from the field. Watson gave him a good run in an active round that featured six birdies, five bogeys and an eagle. He only was angry at a few shots where he failed to concentrate. Even so, a bogey-bogey finish wasnt enough to entirely ruin his day. Watson has never finished better than 23rd in eight previous appearances. "I cant look at the bogeys," Watson said. "Ive got to look at where Im at. If you told me its my best two days around this golf course, Id take it." Chris Kirk (70) was four shots behind. Hideki Matsuyama (67) and Martin Flores (68) were five back. Adam Scott, who won Colonial in his debut at No. 1 in the world, shot 70 and was at 5-under 139, still in the mix depending on how Casey fares on the weekend. Phil Mickelson was happy to get in two more rounds. He shot a 70, though he was 10 shots back. Canadian Mike Weir failed to make the cut after an even par 72 on Friday to finish 1-over through two days. Casey, once a Ryder Cup regular who reached as high as No. 3 in the world, is slowly getting his game and his life back in the right place. He endured injuries to his shoulder and his toe that kept him winless for more than two years. He went through a divorce. He wondered if he would ever return to the brand of golf he was capable of playing. Weeks like this offer promise. Casey won the Irish Open a year ago with what he called "spectacular" golf. The game is still there. "Its slowly crawling along and making progress, climbing back up the ladder, however you want to phrase it," Casey said. "Its very difficult when youve played to a certain level and then ... I genuinely had no clue how to play to that level. "Luckily, I didnt think about that too long." His life is back in order. Casey is married to British television presenter Pollyanna Woodward. They are expecting their first child (a boy) in September. He talks about having perspective, knowing where golf fits on his list of whats important. His golf has looked familiar over the last two days. McIlroy could say the same. Except for last week at the BMW PGA Championship in England, which he won with birdies on the last two holes, McIlroys good golf has been stalled by bad patches, and Friday was no exception. In fact, it nearly has become the rule. He shot a 43 on the back nine -- he started the round at No. 10 -- making this the fourth consecutive PGA Tour event where he shot at least 40 over nine holes. All of them have been in the second round. McIlroy twice hit the trees on the 13th hole and made double bogey. He hit into the water on the 14th for double bogey. And then he double-hit a wedge on the 15th to make it three straight double bogeys. "These little runs Im getting on where it gets away from me, I was able to avoid that last week," McIlroy said. "Not so much this week. Even though I had such a bad day, Im still in with a chance depending on what the guys do this afternoon. So going into the weekend, not exactly where I want to be. But it could be worse." Casey simple made it a lot harder. Sparky Anderson Jersey . - Kyle Wood and Barclay Goodrow scored second period power-play goals to provide all of the scoring for the North Bay Battalion in a 2-0 victory over the Erie Otters in Ontario Hockey League action on Thursday. Sergio Alcantara Jersey .com) - Devin Booker scored 19 points and top-ranked Kentucky put on a defensive clinic in an 83-44 obliteration of UCLA in the CBS Sports Classic. https://www.cheaptigers.com/499z-lance-parrish-jersey-tigers.html . Hattestad managed to avoid the carnage midway through the mens final, as a crash took out three skiers, essentially leaving two men vying for gold. The Norwegian posted a time of 3:38.39, outlasting Swedens Teodor Peterson, who took silver with a time of 3:39.BEREA, Ohio - Johnny Manziel seemed a little taller. Not in height, but definitely in stature.The playmaking, headline-making, love-him-or-hate-him sensation who has spent the majority of his rookie season as an orange-helmeted spectator, Manziel is now the Browns starting quarterback — No. 2 is No. 1.And just like when he was college footballs most electrifying player, Manziel is again in the spotlight and not scrambling away. As he prepares for his debut start Sunday against Cincinnati, Manziel said the pro version of Johnny Football is new.I dont think youre going to see the Johnny that you saw at Texas A&M because this isnt Texas A&M, he said Wednesday following his first practice as a starter. This is a different point in my life. Im a different person than I was. Hes been a different quarterback since Monday, when Browns coach Mike Pettine informed the 22-year-old Manziel that he was benching struggling starter Brian Hoyer after a four-game funk. Pettine nearly made the move last week but stuck with Hoyer because he had gotten the Browns (7-6) into playoff contention.Pettines counting on Manziel to keep his team there.We wanted to make a change to do some different things schematically and to maybe bring a little bit more energy, Pettine said.Manziel, whose commitment and dedication to his craft have been questioned in the past, seems to embrace his new role. He spent Tuesday at the teams facility getting a head start on this weeks game plan with offensive co-ordinator Kyle Shanahan. A week ago, Manziel raised some eyebrows by attending a Cavaliers game to see friend LeBron James play before Pettine announced his starter.There was no Cavs game on a Tuesday this time, Manziel said, smiling. Ill try to provide a spark and be smart while doing it.Manziel also made light of a comment by Bengalss coach Marvin Lewis, who called him a midget earlier this week in a radio interview. Niko Goodrum Jersey. Its absolutely funny, the 6-foot Manziel said of the remarks by Lewis, who has apologized several times. Im not going to sprout 5 inches over the course of the week, so my height is my height and I need to overcome it with other pieces of my game.Hoyers game has been in a tailspin for a month. He threw eight interceptions and his quarterback rating dropped each week as the Browns lost three times in the last four games. The stretch has jeopardized Clevelands chances of making the playoffs for the first time in 12 years.Hoyers homegrown, feel-good story and comeback from knee surgery helped make the Browns relevant again. He was understandably disappointed by the demotion but said he was proud of his accomplishments.I dont want anyone to feel sorry for me, said Hoyer, who went 10-6 as a starter and will be a free agent after this season. I got to live out a childhood dream, and its not over.Clevelands locker room is supporting the decision, which certainly has Browns fans invigorated. Ticket brokers have seen a rise in demand since Manziel was named starter and Sundays home finale will have a greater buzz that in previous seasons, when empty seats were the norm.Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas said hes excited to see Manziel start after he had some success in the preseason and against Buffalo on Nov. 30.Im excited to see what he can do now that hes got the reins, Thomas said.NOTES: Pettine said a change at kicker was discussed, but the team is sticking with Billy Cundiff. Cundiff has missed seven field goals this season, one in each of the past five games. Billy knows, Pettine said. Its important to him that hes got to pick it up.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '