Little-known South Korean YE Yang fired a 65 to take a one-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Honda Classic in Florida.
South Korean storms to the top of Honda leaderboard
Little-known South Korean YE Yang fired a second round 65 to take a one-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the Honda Classic in Florida.
Yang, ranked 460 in the world but a five-time winner in Asia, backed up an opening 68 to reach seven-under-par at the PGA National course with a flawless round of golf.
Among the final group starting on the 10th, Yang had just one birdie to his name through nine holes but a run of three from the first, plus another at the seventh, fired him to the top of a star-studded field.
"I just told myself I just needed to be patient out there and I started feeling comfortable," said the 37-year-old.
Comfortable
"The front-nine was nothing too spectacular but, on the back-nine when I started getting those birdies, I felt really comfortable.
"I've gradually elevated myself to have better success as my game grew. Obviously, to top it off with a PGA Tour victory, which has been the ultimate dream to play for me, it would be a dream come true."
Overnight leader Robert Allenby shot 68 to sit one stroke back alongside Americans Jeff Overton and Will McKenzie, who both carded 67s for the second day in succession.
"I think if you look at the PGA Tour, it just goes to show how much more competitive it's become over the last few years," Overton said.
"Tiger (Woods) has raised the bar. It's unbelievable how good these guys are, it really is.
"It's unbelievable how many players have not won yet, but only one guy wins each week. You only have 35, 40 weeks, whatever it is, and you get Tiger winning half of them, there's not a lot of room for other players.
"There's an unbelievable amount of talent out here, so it's pretty amazing that more guys haven't."
European charge
America-based German Alex Cejka is leading the European charge on three under par but Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy is just a shot further back after a two-under-par 68.
The 19-year-old dropped two shots in his first six holes but a birdie at the 18th - his ninth - got his round going again and he picked up a further three shots in four holes to get himself in contention.
Sergio Garcia is one back but slipped off the pace with a disappointing 72 that saw him pick up only two birdies, including one at the final hole.
And there was disappointment for fellow Ryder Cup star Justin Rose, who continued his inconsistent start to the season with a shocking 79 that included three double bogeys and resulted in him missing the cut comfortably.
