In-form American Bill Haas, just five days after losing out in a playoff for the Bob Hope Classic, charged into a two-shot lead at the Farmers Insurance Open on Friday.
Taking advantage of another glorious day of sunshine on the southern California coastline, Haas fired a sparkling six-under-par 66 on the ultra-long South Course for an 11-under total of 133.
The 28-year-old piled up four consecutive birdies around the turn before finishing the second round two ahead of compatriot Anthony Kim, who carded a 67 on the South layout.
Three-time champion Phil Mickelson, making his first start on this year’s PGA Tour, was a further stroke back in a tie for third at eight-under after carding a 69 on the North Course.
Level with Mickelson were fellow Americans Bubba Watson (65), Rickie Fowler (71), John Daly (69), Hunter Mahan (67) and defending champion Ben Crane (66), plus Swede Fredrik Jacobson (69).
Six-times winner Tiger Woods, competing in his first event of the year, briefly closed to within two of the lead, before slipping back after the turn to end the day with a second successive 69, five off the pace.
Haas, who narrowly missed out on defending his Bob Hope Classic crown last Sunday when beaten by Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas in a three-way playoff, surged to the top of a high-quality leaderboard with eight birdies and two bogeys.
In pursuit of his third PGA Tour victory, he compiled matching loops of three-under 33 to take control of the fourth event of the year on the US circuit.
“I’ve put myself in that position again to have a nice 36 [holes] on the weekend which could turn this into a great week,” Haas, whose father, Jay, won here in 1978, told reporters. “So I feel good about it. I feel good about my game and I’ve played really well the first couple of tournaments.”
Daly, who won the most recent of his five PGA Tour titles here in 2004, is playing on a sponsor’s exemption this week and is certainly capable of springing a surprise victory.
“With me, you don’t know what to expect,” the double major champion said. “I just like the way I’m hitting the golf ball, and I love the way I’m stroking it.”
The cut fell at one-under 143, with Americans Boo Weekley, Chad Campbell and 2012 US Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III among those failing to advance.
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