Stanley holds the fort at Torrey Pines

Last updated: 28th January 2012

Kyle Stanley has managed to hold onto lead he shared overnight with fellow American Spencer Levin at the Farmers Insurance Open.

Stanley is now the sole leader by one shot after posting a seven-birdie second-round 4-under 68 that also included a bogey and a double bogey and took his halfway total to a 14-under 130 on the tougher cliff-top South Course at San Diego's Torrey Pines, one of the most famous municipal golf clubs in the world.

Stanley and Levin had both opened their account in the first round with blistering 10-under 62s on the easier North Course, but both found the going a lot tougher on Friday, especially the luckless Levin who had a pretty miserable day and was only able to post a 4-over 76 that included six bogies and only two birdies and saw him finish way down the field in a tie for 20th

Kyle's closest pursuer is now compatriot Brandt Snedeker who shot a best-of-the-day 8-under 64 on the North course that included a stretch of five straight birdies and hoisted him into second place at 13-under with Sang-Moon Bae of South Korea and another American, Martin Flores, a further shot back in joint third place at 12-under..

Bill Haas, the reigning FedExCup champion, and Hunter Mahan are also in double figures in joint fifth place, four shots off the pace at 10 under.

Stanley, who is in just his second year on tour, told the media afterwards: "My mind set right now is I'm trying to play boring golf - hit fairways, hit greens and make a few putts."

Snedeker, meanwhile, was delighted with the quality of golf he had produced and said: "I'm driving the ball as good as I've ever driven it in my career, which isn't saying a lot, but it's saying enough for me right now.".

"I'm still putting the ball really, really well. So I'm excited with where I am after the first two days.

"I feel like as good as I've played, I've left a few out there, which is a good feeling to know my game is where it needs to be."

Phil Mickelson was not so happy after Friday's second round. for his second tournament in a row, the three-time champion here was unable to shake off his winter-break cobwebs and missed the cut by three shots.

TOP 10 LEADERBOARD

130 Kyle Stanley (USA)62 68

131 Brandt Snedeker (USA) 67 6, Bae Sang-moon (Kor)b 65 67, Martin Flores (USA) 65 67

134 Hunter Mahan (USA) 69 65, Bill Haas (USA) 63 71

135 Robert Allenby (Aus) 68 67, Justin Leonard (USA) 65 70, John Rollins (USA) 70 65, John Huh (USA) 64 71