KJ Choi fired a five-under-par 65 to remain on top of the leaderboard after the second round of the Sony Open.
Korean holds two-shots clear at halfway stage in Honolulu
Overnight leader KJ Choi fired a five-under-par 65 to remain on top of the leaderboard after the second round of the Sony Open.
The Korean followed up his bogey-free opening day with another consistent performance to sit two shots clear on 11-under.
Kevin Na is his closest challenger after a score of 64, with Steve Marino a further shot adrift at the Waialae Country Club in Honolulu.
Defending champion Paul Goydos, who ended a 10-year victory drought by winning in 2007, missed the cut following a round of 73 that left him at three-over.
Birdie run
Choi looks in good shape to take the 2008 title after so far recording just one bogey through his first 36 holes.
"I'm playing well right now," the world number nine said.
"My rhythm overall is really good and just getting a lot of support from the fans is really making me feel comfortable.
"On this course, the winds are constant and I think I'm adjusting myself well in the conditions."
Starting on the back nine, he entered the turn at two-under before finally dropping a shot at the par-four second.
However, he bounced back to birdie four of his last five holes, including three straight to finish his round, to sit on 129 through two days of the tournament.
Chasing pack
Na was one shot better on the day, carding a six-under 64, while Marino - a PGA Tour rookie last season - managed a 67.
Fred Funk, who managed an eagle at his final hole, and Jimmy Walker are tied for fourth at seven-under.
Spaniard Alejandro Canizares is the leading European challenger after two consecutive scores of 67 left him well-placed on six-under.
Major winners Angel Cabrera and John Daly joined Goydos in missing the weekend with more than 78 players making the cut mark, meaning that under new rules the cut came in one shot less.
