LA QUINTA, Calif. — Charley Hoffman and Rico Hoey each shot 9-under 63 on the Nicklaus Event Course to share the lead Friday after two rounds at The American Categorical.
Hoffman and Hoey had been at 16-under 128 halfway via this three-course match within the Coachella Valley desert, though each Southern California natives have but to play PGA West’s harder Pete Day Stadium Course. They had been a shot forward of Justin Decrease, Mark Hubbard and Sepp Straka. Jason Day and J.J. Spaun had been 14 below.
Rickie Fowler charged into rivalry with 10 birdies and a second-round 62 on the Nicklaus, transferring him even with Justin Thomas and Sony Open champion Nick Taylor at 13-under 131. Patrick Cantlay, Will Zalatoris and Doug Ghim had been 12 below.
First-round chief J.T. Poston plummeted down the leaderboard with a 4-over 76 on the Stadium Course.
The 48-year-old Hoffman gained his first PGA Tour title at this occasion again in 2007, again when it was nonetheless known as the Bob Hope Chrysler Basic. He charged into the lead this week with an eventful second spherical that includes two bogeys and two eagles.
Hoffman hasn’t gained since 2016, however he’s feeling wholesome after years of again bother, together with two fragmented disks. He’s decided to benefit from his remaining time on Tour.
“The competitors is enjoyable,” Hoffman stated. “I like strolling down the fairways and guys are like, ‘How previous are you?’ (I say) ‘I’m 48,’ they usually kind of provide you with a glance, like, what, you’re 48 out right here nonetheless taking part in? And at the present time after we’re going to 100 gamers now, guys taking part in at 48 on the PGA Tour is a factor of the previous. I don’t suppose you’re going to see that for much longer on the PGA Tour. However I’m going to attempt to battle out right here so long as I can.”
Hoey, who grew up 80 miles away in Rancho Cucamonga and starred on the College of Southern California, is chasing his first victory in his second full 12 months on the PGA Tour. He has been taking part in programs round Palm Springs since he was 5 years previous, and the Nicklaus is considered one of his favorites.
“I performed loads of junior occasions out right here, so simply looks like I’m residence,” Hoey stated. “It’s nice. Climate is superior, so we don’t actually have too many robust situations with the wind and whatnot. Made it rather a lot simpler to attain. … I’m nonetheless form of starstruck with loads of these guys, Hoffman, Cantlay, Rickie and whatnot. For me, it’s actually cool simply to place my title on the market and simply sustain with them, in order that’s all I’m attempting to do.”
