Sony Open: Nick Taylor leads with Webb Simpson in a chase pack Golf News

Two-time PGA Tour winner Nick Taylor two leads at Sony Open in Hawaii; Webb Simpson sits in the tied-second group at half-way level, with PGA Champion Collin Morikawa and Hideki Matsuyama three off distance.

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A look back at the best of action from the second round of the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii

Nick Taylor will lead a two-way stage two-stage lead of the Sony Open, with Webb Simpson and Collin Morikawa among the chase pack in Hawaii.

Canada equaled the lowest round of the week with eight under 62 at Waialae Country Club, fishing five of his last seven holes to get to 12 under and jump to the top of the board.

Simpson completed a three-birdie lead to move into the group of five players sharing second place, while Morikawa – the top player in the field – fired back at nine under after five- fo 64.

Collin Morikawa is one of nine players heading into the weekend at nine under

“The push has been really strong,” Taylor said. “I’ve actually hit a number of tracks, except for the last hole (Friday). If I keep driving well and hitting my lines, there are a lot of birdies out there and I have to keep making them. “

Starting on the back nine, Taylor gathered from eight feet to save par on three of his four opening holes before kicking back from a bogey at the 14th to post birdies over his next two holes.

Nick Taylor is chasing a third PGA Tour victory this week

Taylor shook in for an eagle from the 18th green to reach the turn in 32 and rolled in a 25-footer at third for the first of three straight wins, with the world No. 135 closing out -out walk with rear birdies. .

Along with Simpson under 10s are Stewart Cink, who made a card of 63 without Russell, Russell Henley, Vaughn Taylor and Chris Kirk, with 15 players heading into the weekend within three of the directors.

“Today was a dream day to play here at Waialae,” Cink said. “There was a bit of moisture on the ground from last night, and it was just a day where you could really dial in and play.”

Morikawa got out of an opening hole bogey to give five under-65s a pass and move inside the top-10, while Matsuyama followed five birdies in a six-hole stretch with a last-hole eagle to second -close nine 28 and also get to nine under.

Defending champion Cameron Smith is five strokes back at half-time, with England’s Ben Taylor, Scotland’s Russell Knox and Ireland’s Seamus Power missing the cut.

Watch the Sony Open over the weekend live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues Saturday from midnight on Sky Sports Golf, with the third round also on Sunday from 9am and 2.30pm.

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