Herron leads Pebble Beach field

Tim Herron is aware he faces a difficult fight to hold on to his one-shot lead after two rounds of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

Herron was among five players tied for the lead at one point and managed to come out on top after a three-under-par round of 69 to move to seven-under overall after 137 strokes.

Herron leads a group of four players by one shot – Robert Floyd, Michael Allen, JB Holmes and Nicholas Thompson are all tied at six-under-par – and started his round at Poppy Hills on the 10th hole with a birdie.

He bogeyed 17 but immediately pulled a shot back at 18 and went on to birdie two of his final four holes.

Herron is bidding for his fifth career win – and first since the 2006 Colonial - but with six players at five-under and another 10 three shots off the pace he knows it will be difficult.

“I hit it fine and I drove it good,” Herron said. “I’ve hit a lot of greens this week and made one bogey, and the bogey I made was a three-putt.

“Going into the weekend, it’s packed. Anyone that makes the cut has a chance to win the tournament.”

Floyd, Allen and Holmes, who won the FBR Open by defeating Phil Mickelson in a play-off last week, each shot 70 while Thompson grabbed a share of second with a 69.

The son of four-time major winner Raymond Floyd, Robert Floyd is playing this week on a sponsor’s exemption. He makes his living as a real estate agent rather than pro golfer.

Mickelson, who is the defending champion and three-time tournament winner, signed for an even-par 72 at Spyglass Hill.

He is tied for 53rd at one-under but has the weekend to make up ground on the leaders.

Greg Norman, who is making his first PGA Tour start since the 2006 International, carded a two-under 70 and is two over for the tournament.