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Brian Davis takes lead at Honda Classic

Tadd Fujikawa reacts after missing a putt on the 17th green during the Honda Classic tournament in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on Friday. PHOTO: AP

Brian Davis fired a three-under 67 on Friday to take a one-shot lead over Australian Matt Jones at the halfway stage of the Honda Classic.

Davis had a 36-hole total of eight-under 132, while Jones also posted a 67 for 133.

American Dudley Hart, winner of the event in 2000, was a further shot back after a 66 for 134.

John Mallinger and Ben Crane were tied for fourth -- three shots back -- and South African Ernie Els (70) the world's fourth-ranked player, was bunched with five others at 137.

The Briton, who completed the first round without a bogey, opened with two birdies in his first four holes before a double-bogey at seven and a bogey at the ninth saw him even through the turn.

He pulled back two shots with back-to-back birdies at 12 and 13, and seized the lead with a birdie at the par-five 18th as he continues his bid for a first US PGA Tour victory.

"I've won a couple of times in Europe and I've won Q-school here, I know what it is going to take to win," Davis said.

But he said it was too soon to start thinking about the victory.

"We've got a long way to go yet and there's a lot of good players around the top of the leaderboard," Davis said. "Around here, it's going to come down to the last nine holes, just the way the course is set up."

Jones had birdies on three of his first five holes before a bogey on No. 11.

However, the 27-year-old Australian carded his 10th birdie of the tournament on the next hole to help finish his day in second place.

Jones said steady iron play and solid putting had made up for struggles off the tee.

"If I can keep it going with the putter, I'll be happy the rest of the week," he said.
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