Jim Furyk's steady roll continues with 5-under 66 and tie for 4th at PGA Championship

Jim Furyk hits out of the bunker on the 11th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Valhalla Golf Club on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (The Associated Press)

Jim Furyk watches his tee shot on the 12th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Valhalla Golf Club on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Mike Groll) (The Associated Press)

A midseason break is paying off for Jim Furyk at the PGA Championship.

The 44-year-old Furyk carved out a monthlong sabbatical after his 12th-place tie in the U.S. Open. Second last year in the PGA, he shot a 5-under 66 on Thursday in the opening round at Valhalla Golf Club to put him a stroke out of the lead.

After his break, Furyk's solid run began last month with a fourth-place finish in the British Open. He blew the final-round lead a week later in the Canadian Open and settled for second at Royal Montreal, then tied for 15th last week at Firestone in the World Golf Championship event.