Carl Yuan gains ground on his first PGA Tour victory after leading the Sony Open

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China’s Carl Yuan, aged 26, surged to a share of the halfway lead in the US PGA Tour’s Sony Open alongside An Byeong-hun and Austin Eckroat after carding a five-under-par 65 on Friday. As a full-fledged tour member, Yuan, vying for his first tour title, commenced the season’s initial full-field event at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii. This status was acquired when Spain’s Jon Rahm moved to LIV Golf, resulting in his suspension and losing his place in the FedEx Cup standings, granting Yuan the last spot.

While Yuan expressed relief at the security of full membership, guaranteeing him access to more events, he affirmed that it wouldn’t alter his early-season objectives. Prior to learning about his full membership status, he had been focused on performing well in Hawaii and on the West Coast to regain a spot on the tour without returning to Q-school.

“Luckily I got full status, but I’m still trying to do the same thing and come out here and play the best I can,” Yuan explained. On Friday, this translated into a solid performance, leading to his position atop the leaderboard at nine-under par 131 after a two-putt birdie at the par-five 18th.

Eckroat also joined Yuan at the top after carding a four-under 66, featuring five birdies and one bogey, with a birdie on the par-five ninth as his concluding hole.

An played without a bogey, making the last of his six birdies at the 18th to conclude his 64.

“Didn’t get as many putts as I would like to fall, but easy to look back and say that,” said Eckroat, who was celebrating his 25th birthday. “Really solid round. Shooting 66 isn’t a bad birthday.”

Sixteen players were within two strokes of the leading trio, starting with a group of 10 players on 132 that included first-round leader Cam Davis of Australia, veteran Stewart Cink and Chris Kirk, winner of the season-opening Sentry tournament at Kapalua on Sunday.

Another six players were tied on 133.

Woodland coming back

Yuan had two top-10 finishes last season, and said he would draw on those experiences in what promises to be a hard-fought weekend.

“I had a couple chances last year being in the final two groups, having a shot on the weekend,” Yuan said. “I feel like I just got to do what I did last two days: be patient and stay committed, know exactly what I’m going to do before I hit a shot and see how it turns out.”

Those missing the cut included former US Open champion Gary Woodland, who was playing for the first time since September surgery to remove a brain lesion that caused anxiety and fears of death.

After shooting a second consecutive one-over par 71, Woodland became emotional and remarked, “There was a time when I didn’t know if this was going to be possible.” “In terms of mental health, I had a good week.

“To achieve my goals in life, I had to have a bright mind. It’s returning.”