Los Angeles (AFP)
The Norwegian pair of Viktor Hovland and Kris Ventura were caught by the American duo Tony Finau-Cameron Champ at the top of the Zurich Classic golf course on Friday after the second round, marked by two holes in one.
On the greens of Avondale (Louisiana), not far from New Orleans, the day started badly for the leaders, authors of a double bogey on their seventh hole.
But the Norwegians compensated with five birdies on the rest of the course to complete it in 69 strokes (3 under par).
Finau and Champ also managed five birdies but conceded only one bogey, returning a card of 68 which allowed them to pick up again at the head of the tournament with two strokes ahead of the American duo Bubba Watson - Scottie Scheffler and the Swedish-English pair Henrik Stenson - Justin Rose.
Coleaders at the end of the first round on Thursday, Americans Brice Garnett and Scott Stallings finished three shots over the par and tumbled to 16th place.
Embarrassed by the wind, Hovland judged his second round "very good. We birdied on several really difficult holes," he said.
"With this wind and this format in general, we knew it would be a mess," said Champ.
"We just got over it ... but I still ended up with a nice birdie on the 18th hole!"
Friday was also marked by two holes in one, signed by the Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell and the American Nick Watney.
The two golfers distinguished themselves on par 3s: the former winner of the US Open on the 17th hole and the second on the 14th.
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