China’s Carl Yuan shares PGA Tour lead in Hawaii

LOS ANGELES – By some stroke of luck, Jon Rahm moving to LIV Golf has benefited Carl Yuan, but the Chinese insisted that nothing has changed for him in his golfing ambitions.

Yuan, chasing a first PGA Tour title, started the season’s first full-field event in the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii, as a full member of the tour.

He inherited the last spot when Spain’s Rahm jumped ship and was suspended, losing his place in the FedExCup standings.

On Jan 12, he grabbed six birdies in a five-under 65 to share the halfway lead with South Korea’s An Byeong-hun and American Austin Eckroat.

Yuan admitted it was “kind of a relief” to have the security of full membership, which gives him guaranteed access to more events, but said it would not change his early-season aims.

“Before I learn the news I was really trying to get myself ready and come out and play good in Hawaii and on the West Coast and try to earn myself back on tour,” said the 26-year-old, who was able to skip a return 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.”

That meant a steady climb up the leaderboard that saw him first in the clubhouse on nine-under 131 after a two-putt birdie at the par-five 18th. He was joined by Eckroat, who had five birdies and one bogey in his 66, which was capped by a birdie at his last hole – the par-five ninth.

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.”

Yuan, who had two top-10 finishes last season, also said that 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,” he added.

“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.”

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 last weekend.

Another six players were tied on 133.

Those missing the 138 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.

“There was a time where I didn’t know if this was going to be possible,” he said after shooting a second straight one-over 71. “It was a good week for me from a mental standpoint.”

Meanwhile on the DP World Tour, England’s Tommy Fleetwood fired a eight-under 63 to snatch the lead at the Dubai Invitational.

He is on 15-under 198 and leads his fellow Ryder Cup hero and overnight leader Rory McIlroy (67) by one stroke at the new limited-field event. AFP