Kuchar takes narrow lead

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January 24, 2015

Matt Kuchar opened up a one shot lead in the PGA Tour Humana Challenge after shooting an eight-under 64 in Friday’s second round.

The American carded one eagle, a bogey and seven birdies – four of which came between the tenth and 16th holes – to wrestle the lead away from first round leader Michael Putnam.

“My game feels solid. I feel like I know where it is going, like I’m hitting it in the center of the club. I’m really pleased,” he told AP.

The 36-year-old isn’t letting the good performance go to his head though, saying; “Nobody wins on Thursday, Friday or Saturday.”

Putnam carded a five-under 67 to finish on 14-under tied for second place with Bill Haas, who shot a 63.

Nick Watney, Justin Thomas and Scott Pinckney are tied for third on 13-under after respective rounds of 64, 63 and 67.

Erik Compton, Alex Cejka and Ryan Palmer are tied for seventh on 12-under. Palmer fired the lowest score of the round, carding an 11-under 61.

The American needed to play the final eight holes in four-under to record only the seventh ever 59 on the PGA Tour, but he bogeyed the par-four second and par-three third to settle for two under.

“Walking off 10, after I got to 10 under, I was staying calm, trying not to think about anything, just trying to keep my momentum going, my pace with my walk. It’s hard not to think about it,” he said.

“I guess the bogeys did kind of calm me down a little bit more and I didn’t worry about, obviously, the number.”

Patrick Reed, the defending champion, is tied for second on nine-under after carding a two-under 70 on Friday.