Henley claims McGladrey lead

Russell Henley carded a second round 63 to take a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of The McGladrey Classic.

The American improved five shots on his opening effort of 68, making eight birdies in benign early conditions at the Seaside Course in Sea Island, Georgia.

Henley's round started poorly with a bogey at the 10th - his first hole - but that proved to be his only blemish with birdies coming at the 14th, 16th and 18th holes.

He moved closer to the leaders with another shot picked up at the first and then managed three successive birdies from the fourth and a final one at his last hole of the day, the ninth.

"It was beautiful when we teed off," Henley said.

"It was cool and the ball wasn't going nearly as far as normal but the greens are perfect and I felt really comfortable. I made some putts, and I feel like I could have made a couple more (putts) too.

"I just felt really comfortable off the tee. I've been hitting the driver really well and once you get in the fairways out here, if you hit it on the right side of the hole, you've got a good birdie attempt."

His nine-under par total was regularly challenged by the later starters, but he was never passed as Brendon de Jonge moved into a tie for second on eight-under with a round of 64.

The Zimbabwean managed six birdies in a bogey-free Friday round and he shares second with overnight leader Brian Harman, who added a 67 to his opening 65, and late finisher Andrew Svoboda who went round in 66 for the second straight day.

Will MacKenzie, Mark Wilson and Fabian Gomez are a stroke further back at seven-under.