Patrick Fishburn shot a bogey-free, five-under-par 65 on Friday to take a one-shot lead alongside fellow American Denny McCarthy midway through the PGA Tour’s Sony Open in Hawaii.
Fishburn, seeking a first tour title of his career after turning professional in 2018, produced iron play and precise putting to move to the top of the leaderboard with 10 under through 36 holes at Waialae Country Club d ‘Honolulu.
Starting on the back nine, Fishburn got off to a good start with birdies on the 12th, 13th and 14th holes before adding two more after the turn to cap a largely flawless round.
“I hit a lot of fairways and I feel really comfortable with the putter,” Fishburn said as he looked forward to the weekend.
“In the first round I hit a few long ones and today I felt like everything was going where I wanted it on the greens.
“I feel like I’m throwing the ball really well, I’m so excited for the next couple of days.”
McCarthy, who shot an opening score of 64-under-par on Thursday, overcame a shaky start that included two bogeys in his first three holes to climb the leaderboard.
After his initial troubles, McCarthy made five birdies and 10 pars over the remaining 15 holes for a four-under-par 66.
It was a mixed bag for McCarthy, who made short putts for par at the second and third before restarting his round with a 24-footer for birdie at the fifth.
“I missed a few today that I normally would clean up, so that was a little frustrating,” McCarthy said.
“I missed a few short ones early on and bounced back. I made a few mid-to-long putts in the middle of the front nine to get me into the round… everything feels really good.”
Japan’s Kensei Hirata was the biggest player in Friday’s second round, climbing 41 places in the leaderboard to tie for third at nine under, one back, after a seven-under-par 63.
Hirata is joined by Americans Eric Cole and Paul Peterson, who respectively followed his opening 64 with a 67.
Five players, Austrian Sepp Straka and Americans Lee Hodges, Alex Smalley, JJ Spaun and Zach Johnson, are still behind at eight under.
RCW/Fox
