* Verplank grabs early lead from three players
* Overnight pacesetter Stricker slips back with bogeys
* Woods looking likely to miss the cut (Updates after Verplank takes outright lead)
Verplank, a five-times PGA Tour winner, was three under after eight holes at a sun-baked Atlanta Athletic Club.
Australian Adam Scott, after 14 holes, and American D.A. Points, who carded a three-under 67, were two strokes behind Verplank, along with Stricker whose four early bogeys underdid much of the good work from his sizzling opening round of 63.
Former world number one Tiger Woods was looking likely to miss the cut at two over for the day after 11 holes, leaving him at nine over overall. He double-bogeyed the par-four 11th after chipping from a bunker, over the green, into water.
Rory McIlroy, playing with a bandaged forearm, struggled to a three-over-par 73 that left him well behind the leading pack.
U.S. Open champion McIlroy hurt his wrist on the third hole on Thursday and played through pain to finish at even par with his participation in the tournament in doubt.
However, he looked more comfortable as he dealt with the challenging Highland course at Atlanta Athletic Club on Friday.
"It was probably tougher mentally more than anything else, trying to get it out of your mind," said McIlroy after a round of three birdies, three bogeys and a triple-bogey on the 17th.
Among those also looking likely to make a Friday farewell were defending champion Martin Kaymer of Germany, who finished at five over, along with Australian Jason Day, who after being on the fringe of contention fell apart on his back nine.
American Brandt Snedeker was handed a two-stroke penalty for being late for his time on the first tee.
Americans J.B. Holmes (illness) and Rocco Mediate (injury) withdrew from the tournament on Friday, along with South African Retief Goosen (illness).
* Overnight pacesetter Stricker slips back with bogeys
* Woods looking likely to miss the cut (Updates after Verplank takes outright lead)
By Simon Evans
JOHNS CREEK, Georgia, Aug 12 (Reuters) - American Scott Verplank grabbed an earely one-stroke lead over a trio of players at the PGA Championship on Friday as overnight leader Steve Stricker faded with a three-over-par front nine.Verplank, a five-times PGA Tour winner, was three under after eight holes at a sun-baked Atlanta Athletic Club.
Australian Adam Scott, after 14 holes, and American D.A. Points, who carded a three-under 67, were two strokes behind Verplank, along with Stricker whose four early bogeys underdid much of the good work from his sizzling opening round of 63.
Former world number one Tiger Woods was looking likely to miss the cut at two over for the day after 11 holes, leaving him at nine over overall. He double-bogeyed the par-four 11th after chipping from a bunker, over the green, into water.
Rory McIlroy, playing with a bandaged forearm, struggled to a three-over-par 73 that left him well behind the leading pack.
U.S. Open champion McIlroy hurt his wrist on the third hole on Thursday and played through pain to finish at even par with his participation in the tournament in doubt.
However, he looked more comfortable as he dealt with the challenging Highland course at Atlanta Athletic Club on Friday.
"It was probably tougher mentally more than anything else, trying to get it out of your mind," said McIlroy after a round of three birdies, three bogeys and a triple-bogey on the 17th.
Among those also looking likely to make a Friday farewell were defending champion Martin Kaymer of Germany, who finished at five over, along with Australian Jason Day, who after being on the fringe of contention fell apart on his back nine.
American Brandt Snedeker was handed a two-stroke penalty for being late for his time on the first tee.
Americans J.B. Holmes (illness) and Rocco Mediate (injury) withdrew from the tournament on Friday, along with South African Retief Goosen (illness).
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