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Sony Open in Hawaii Halfway Hut: Russell Henley pulls clear at Waialae

News, stats, quotes and social after 36 holes in Honolulu where the American holds a three-shot lead after two rounds.

Last week in the first of the PGA Tour's two Hawaii events, three players broke the previous 72-hole scoring record of 31-under.
After two rounds of this week's Sony Open, Russell Henley appears to be doing his best to become the latest golfer to beat the previous mark.

In truth, it's highly unlikely that he'll get to those crazy numbers posted at The Plantation Course last weekend whenΒ Cameron Smith won with 34-under, ahead ofΒ Jon Rahm (-33) and Matt Jones (-32).

But thanks to rounds of 62 and 63 at Waialae so far, the latter completed with a 30-foot eagle putt, he sits at 15-under at the halfway mark, good enough for a three-shot lead over a rejuvenated Haotong Li.
Henley has been here before. In 2013, this was the scene of his first PGA Tour win and, on that occasion, he shot 14-under 126 to set the then 36-hole scoring record.
Let's not think that everyone is finding it easy this week though, despite modest 5-10mph winds on day two.
First-round leader Kevin Na followed his 61 with a one-over 71 to drop from 1st to tied 16th. He then got involved in a Twitter spat (see below).

At least Na will have the chance to put things right again on the weekend, unlike the likes of last week's winner Smith, Abraham Ancer, Sungjae Im, Graeme McDowell and Zach Johnson, who all missed the cut.

Stats

This is Henley's fifth round of 63 or better at the Sony Open.
Two players are bogey free through 36 holes: 2019 Sony Open champion Matt Kuchar and Canadian Corey Conners.
This is the seventh time Henley has held the second-round lead/co-lead on the PGA Tour. He's only converted once although it was at this very tournament in 2013.

Seven second-round leaders/co-leaders have won the Sony Open in Hawaii since 2000 (most recent: Kuchar in 2019).

Henley ranks 1st for Strokes Gained Tee To Green and 3rd for SG: Putting.

Quotes

Russell Henley (-7, 125)

"The front I started hitting a few more fairways and giving myself some good looks and executing there from 10 to 15 feet or less. Nice to finish like that. I don't remember the last time I had two eagles in the same round, but it's definitely exciting.
"I grew up on kind of the same sort of course like turfwise, bermudagrass, so definitely feels kind of like I'm at home (Georgia) a little bit."

Haotong Li (-5, 128)

"First few holes didn't quite on, especially on my tee shot, but luckily kind of have good recovery back.
"But I played great on my back nine holes, a lot of putts, and play super solid. I think just need to hit a lot of good tee shot again and try to keep ball in play and put ball in the right positions."

Matt Kuchar (-5, 129)

"Another good day. Probably felt in more control yesterday than today, but found a good number of fairways. When I did miss I tended to have shots, was fortunate.
"But started out I think eight straight pars and put on a good run. I think the front nine here is more gettable than the back nine is, and that's kind of the way it played out for me today. Love the golf course. Love the environment. I can't recall last time I've skipped Sony Open."

Michael Thompson (-3, 130)

"I started off the day pretty consistent. Didn't give myself as many chances as I did yesterday, but I scrambled my way around to a 3-under. Hard to complain about that."

Hideki Matsuyama (-5, 131)

"I really didn't have a number in mind. I was all over the place the front nine. Couldn't keep the driver in the fairway. So I'm happy with how I finished."

Seamus Power (-2, 131)

"Today was a bit a of a struggle, to be honest, especially early on. Hit a couple very loose shots, made a couple bogeys, and was able to recover and kind of turn into couple under."

Social

Henley finishes with a bang!
Hideki launches one!
And then shows short-game magic
Sungjae takes it slowly
Kevin Na and Grayson Murray exchange barbs

READ MORE: Defending champion Kevin Na cards a 61 to claim the first round lead in the Sony Open

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