Patrick Fishburn and Denny McCarthy Lead at Sony Open

HONOLULU -- In a thrilling turn of events at the Sony Open, Patrick Fishburn and Denny McCarthy both emerged as co-leaders heading into the weekend, showcasing impressive performances at Waialae Country Club.

Fishburn, who started strong, secured his position by carding three consecutive birdies on the back nine and later chipped in for another birdie at the fifth hole, wrapping up his round with a 5-under 65. Meanwhile, McCarthy faced early difficulties, missing a couple of short par putts before finding his rhythm with a remarkable 25-foot birdie on the fifth hole, finishing with a score of 66. Both players now share the lead at 10-under 130, holding a one-shot advantage over Kensei Hirata and Eric Cole, who are at 9-under.

Hirata made an impressive move with a score of 63, while Cole, despite his solid 67, missed a crucial 4-foot birdie attempt on the par-5 18th hole that could have tied him for the lead. Also in contention is Paul Peterson, a 36-year-old rookie who has previously played on various tours worldwide. He finished his round with a birdie on the ninth hole, securing a score of 67 just before dark.

The cut for the tournament was set at 3-under 137, eliminating several notable players, including 15 who had participated in the previous week's high-stakes Sentry Tournament of Champions in Maui.

McCarthy expressed little concern over his early missed putts, attributing his success to making longer putts later in the round. Fishburn, in his second year on the PGA Tour, emphasized the importance of this event after narrowly missing out on keeping his tour card last season.

This marks Fishburn's second appearance at the Sony Open, having previously missed the cut during his rookie year. He expressed relief at securing a tee time this year, highlighting the difference in his experience.

As the tournament progresses, it is clear that the record score of 35 under par set by Hideki Matsuyama at Kapalua last week is safe. Players are finding the Waialae course to be significantly more challenging compared to the previous week's mountainous layout.

The top five players heading into the weekend have yet to secure a victory on the PGA Tour, adding a layer of excitement as an invitation to the prestigious Masters is at stake. With 25 players within four shots of the lead, the competition remains fierce as 36 holes are still to be played.

Among those trailing by two shots are Sepp Straka and U.S. captain Zach Johnson, who showcased his skills with a remarkable eagle on the third hole and concluded his round with a score of 66. Matsuyama, attempting to become only the third player to win both Hawaii tournaments in a single year, finished with a score of 69 and is currently positioned at 4 under.

Johnson, returning to the Sony Open where he first joined the PGA Tour in 2004, is now seeking an exemption to participate, focusing on a limited schedule this year due to personal commitments.

Gary Woodland, returning from a health-related hiatus, is among those at 6 under par. He spoke about his improved mindset and clarity on the course, indicating a positive trajectory in his game.