(Honolulu) Russell Henley gave a good target to hit when he shot 63 (minus-7) to take the lead at the Sony Open on Friday.
Posted at 8:48 p.m.
Henley finished the final six holes at minus-6, scoring an eagle on his last of the day.
The first rung was to be taken after the leader at the end of the first round, Kevin Na, had tumbled. At least five golfers have shared the top spot at some point.
Henley sent his approach to the bottom of the cut for an eagle at 18and hole, his ninth of the day. He got going on the back nine to show a cumulative minus-15 on the course at Waialae Golf Club.
The Chinese Haotong Li (65) seized the second rung alone, three strokes behind Henley. Matt Kuchar, who has been in Hawaii since before Christmas, also shot 65 and is third at 11 under.
Several golfers were due to tee off in the afternoon, including 51-year-old veteran Jim Furyk, who ranked second after the first 18 holes.
Na started in the morning and things got worse on his back nine. He committed two consecutive bogeys, at his 12and and 13and holes, and he scored another to slip to under-7.
Na concluded his second round with a birdie and he slipped to a tie in 16and position, at minus-8.
Canadians Corey Conners and Adam Svensson finished their morning round and they continued to chase each other. After a 64 card on Thursday, they shot 67 on Friday to tie for sixth at 9 under.