Hamilton on song but Gay takes charge

American Brian Gay charged into the halfway lead at the Verizon Heritage as former Open champion Todd Hamilton made a timely return to form.

Gay shot a five-under-par 66 at Harbour Town Golf Links thanks to six birdies on the front nine that got him out in 30. A bogey at the 11th was the only blemish as Gay fell back to nine under for the tournament, one stroke ahead of fellow American Hamilton.

“The front nine was awesome, I got hot with the putter and made five in a row there on the front,” Gay said.

“I played real solid on the back. The wind was tough and swirling a lot, and I hit a lot of tough shots. I was just lucky to get it close to the hole.”

Hamilton had scored his first top-20 finish of the campaign last week with a tie for 15th at The Masters having made the cut for only the third time in 10 starts in this the final season of his five-year exemption on the US PGA Tour for winning the 2004 Open at Troon.

The American’s bid to retain his card via the money list got a big boost on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, however, when he shot a bogey-free, five-under-par second-round 66.

That sent him into the early clubhouse lead at eight under for the first 36 holes, and he will start the third round in second place.