BSP-08 Golf: Leishman, Harman lead top-ranked Johnson at Kapalua

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Golf: Leishman, Harman lead top-ranked Johnson at Kapalua

LOS ANGELES, Jan 6, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Marc Leishman and Brian Harman both
birdied the 18th on Friday to grab a one-shot second-round lead over world
number one Dustin Johnson in the PGA Tour Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.

Australia’s Leishman, who held a one-stroke overnight lead, had four
birdies without a bogey in his four-under 69 on the Plantation Course at
Kapalua.

He was joined on 10-under par 136 by America’s Harman, who had seven
birdies in a five-under par 68.

The leading duo pulled out of a tie with Johnson, who shook off back-to-
back bogeys at the third and fourth holes to card seven birdies in a five-
under 68 that left him on 137.

On another breezy day, Leishman notched the only bogey-free round of the
day.

He rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt at the par-three second and drained an
eight-footer at the par-three eighth. He rolled in another eight-footer for a
birdie at the par-four 14th, and at the par-five 18th he missed a 31-footer
for eagle by inches and came up with the birdie.

Harman’s seven birdies included a chip-in at the 15th, before he closed
his round with a birdie putt from within four feet at the last.

Americans Pat Perez and Chris Stroud fired seven-under par 66s to join
Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas (70) on 138.

Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth also carded a 66, bouncing back from
an opening 75 to seize a share of 13th place, five strokes off the lead.

Defending champion Justin Thomas carded a disappointing two-over 75 that
left him at even par in the 34-man tournament featuring last season’s
tournament winners.

BSS/AFP/MR/1037 hrs