Real estate agent Floyd flourishes at Pebble Beach

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

PEBBLE BEACH, California (Reuters) - American Robert Floyd, best known for being the son of a four-times major champion, earned himself a spot in the limelight by charging into contention at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on Friday.

Playing this week on a sponsor's exemption, the real estate agent shot a two-under-par 70 at Poppy Hills Golf Club to end the second round one stroke behind the pacesetting Tim Herron.

Floyd, whose father Raymond won 22 times in a glittering PGA Tour career, was delighted to shine on another glorious day on the picturesque Monterey Peninsula.

"To come out here and be able to perform is really exciting," he said after posting a six-under total of 138.

"It's only two rounds but I knew I was playing well enough to do this. I just didn't know if I was going to be able to handle my nerves well enough to play.

"I've been playing a lot of golf and I've been practicing a lot of golf but I haven't been playing tournaments."

Floyd, who reached the semi-finals of the 1996 U.S. amateur championship with his father as his caddie, bounced around on the Nationwide Tour before deciding to work in real estate.

"I got married five years ago and quickly realized that mini-tour golf is not really a way to support a family," he told reporters. "I've been doing that, I'm still doing that and it's a nice aside.