Date: January 11, 2014
Author: Dejan Kalinic, Omnisport

Stuard edges ahead in Hawaii

A second straight five-under 65 has given Brian Stuard a one-shot lead at the Sony Open in Hawaii on Friday.

The American stayed consistent at the Waialae Country Club in Honolulu as he moved into 10 under at the PGA Tour event.

Australian Marc Leishman (64) and Japan's Hideto Tanihara (65) share second at nine under, with Harris English outright fourth a further shot back.

Overnight leader Sang-Moon Bae of South Korea could only manage an even-par 70 as he slipped to a tie for fifth in a group of six at seven under.

Stuard's consistency was the key as he started on the back nine and holed birdies on the 15th and 18th holes, with a bogey on the par-three 17th.

Birdies on the 5th and 6th had him within sight of the lead before making an eagle at his last – the par-five 9th.

Leishman also produced an eagle at the 9th, Tanihara made a hat-trick of birdies from the 7th in his round and English recovered from two bogeys on his first six holes to shoot 66.

Alongside Bae at seven under are five other players, including Australian Masters champion Adam Scott.

Scott holed five birdies and a bogey in his 66 to remain in contention after a solid 67 in the opening round.

Chris Stroud (65), Jason Kokrak (67), Jimmy Walker (67) and Chris Kirk (69) are the others tied with Bae and Scott.

American Matt Kuchar sits at four under after another 68, while Zach Johnson is at five under after a three-under 67.

Defending champion Russell Henley could only manage a 73 in the opening round but responded with a 65 to be at two under and tied for 42nd.

American James Hahn produced the shot of the day – an albatross when he holed out from 191 yards with a six iron on the par-five 9th – and sits tied for 17th at five under.