Rookies rule at the Sony Open

HONOLULU (AP) – Two days into his PGA Tour career, Russell Henley has written his name into golf’s record books and taken a two-shot lead at the Sony Open.

Henley putted for birdie on every hole Friday on his way to a second straight round of a 7-under 63.

His total of 14-under 126 gave him a two-shot lead over fellow rookie Scott Langley and Scott Piercy, and also broke the 36-hole tournament record by two strokes.

In the first full-field event of the season, the rookies were leading the way. All they did on another windy, warm day along the shores of Oahu was trade places atop the leaderboard. Langley opened with a 62 and followed that with a 66. That typically would be enough to stay in the lead. Langley said he tried to stay aggressive, and then he felt he had no choice. He birdied his last three holes to reach 128. Piercy looked as though he had a chance to catch Henley in the afternoon, even as a gentle wind turned into nothing more than a breeze, but he spent most of his time grinding over pars. A birdie on the par-5 ninth, his last hole, gave him another 64.

That means Henley and Langley will be paired together for the third straight day, this time in the last group going into the weekend.

They have been good friends for the past few years, each helping when the other was going through a bad spell. They have been linked together since they shared low amateur honours at Pebble Beach in the 2010 US Open.