American Russell Henley leads by two shots from Scott Langley after shooting a second-round 63 at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Chris Kirk and South African Tim Clark are a shot further back.
Langley, a first-year pro, had led after the first round following a bogey-free eight-under-par 62.
He returned yesterday to start on the back nine and sunk a birdie on his first hole, although this was immediately followed by a bogey.
The American fired two more birdies to head the leaderboard, one ahead of fellow rookie Russell Henley.
Henley finished yesterday second, one place and one shot behind Langley, and today he sunk three birdies to move alongside Langley.
Clark was joint third after the first round and he returned today for a blemish-free front nine that also included an eagle.
Stephen Ames ended the first day in joint fifth place and he made four birdies - albeit along with two bogeys — on the front nine.
Chris Kirk shot up the leaderboard with an impressive first nine holes of the day that included an eagle and two birdies.
Pat Perez also stood out with five birdies and no bogeys.
Scott Piercy had taken an encouraging step forward in his aim of becoming a multiple PGA Tour winner this year by charging into contention in the opening round.
Henley, like fellow American Langley launching his maiden season on the US circuit, started out with an eight-birdie 63 to trail by just one after a breezy, mainly overcast, day.
Piercy, who tied for 13th at the PGA Tour’s windswept season-opening Tournament of Champions at Kapalua on Tuesday, was delighted with his improved putting at Waialae.
“I struck the ball well last week but I didn’t feel like I rolled the ball well putting,” the American said after recording three birdies either side of the turn. “I made a couple of little changes and I rolled it better today.”
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