Wise takes 3- shot lead at Honda midway point

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA. — Aaron Wise is making PGA National look easy.

Wise shot his second straight 6- under 64 on Friday to take a three- stroke lead into the weekend at the Honda Classic. The 128 total is the lowest 36- hole score at PGA National since the tournament moved there 15 years ago — and marks the first 36- hole lead of Wise’s PGA Tour career.

“It’s two great rounds of golf, and I love that, and I love that I’m playing good,” Wise said. “But this place can get to you pretty quick, and there’s a lot of golf left ahead and a lot of trouble out there.”

He had a pair of eagles to highlight the day, his first two of 2021.

Brandon Hagy ( 62) and first- round leader Matt Jones ( 70) were tied for second.

Wise birdied the last to finish off the 64, the eighth round of 64 or lower surrendered by PGA National this week. Until this year, there have never been more than seven rounds of 64 or lower in a Honda on that course; last year, no player even broke 66.

Wise made a 3- footer for a 3 at the par- 5 18th, his ninth hole of the day, then connected on a 45- footer for eagle at the par- 5 third.

“I’ve made so many bonus putts from outside 10 feet that I can’t complain,” said Wise, 24, the 2016 NCAA champion for Oregon.

Hagy didn’t even know he was playing in the tournament until it was almost too late to get a flight, getting in as the next- to- last alternate. He opened with a 69, then shot 62 — the fourth score that low in Honda history at PGA National — Friday.

Jones survived five bogeys to shoot even- par 70. Sam Ryder ( 63) was alone in fourth, four shots back at 8 under. Shane Lowry ( 66) was in a group at 7 under.

“I love this place,” Ryder said. Jones ( 61), Wise ( 64) and University of Georgia product Russell Henley ( 64) had the 64s or better Thursday; Hagy, Ryder, Wise, Brice Garnett ( 64) and former Tech standout Stewart Cink ( 64) had them Friday. Cink shot a 67 in his first Honda round at PGA National 12 years ago; he hadn’t been better than that in any of his 39 rounds there since, until Friday.

“It felt like an easier day scoring,” Cink said.