Svensson drops off, Kuchar takes lead

HONOLULU — The easygoing vibe in Hawaii is a perfect fit for Matt Kuchar, who ran off four birdies in five holes to start his second round Friday, handled the par 5s at Waialae again and finished with another round of 7-under 63 to take a one-shot lead over Andrew Putnam at the Sony Open.

Kuchar was at 14-under 126, matching the lowest 36-hole score of his PGA Tour career. He also had a 126 in Las Vegas in 2008.

Putnam, playing in the afternoon, had a bogey-free 65 and was one shot behind. Chez Reavie (65) and Stewart Cink (62) were four strokes back.

Jordan Spieth had a short week after a long break from golf. In his 2019 debut, Spieth had a 66 and missed the cut by one shot.

Adam Svensson, the Canadian rookie who opened with a 61, followed with a 74 to fall nine shots behind Kuchar. — AP