Garrigus takes control as McDowell falls seven behind in Hawaii

Robert Garrigus shot a stunning 10-under round of 63 to shoot to the top of the leaderboard at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.

Garrigus, who was four under after yesterday’s opening round, played a near faultless hand today to close one stroke ahead of joint overnight leader Carl Petterson.

The American shot par on the the first two holes before picking up four consecutive birdies between the third and sixth holes.

As he started the inward nine he picked up strokes at 10 and 12 and then found an eagle at the par-four 16th.

That was part of another hot streak which he followed with two further birdies to cap a fine effort.

Petterson’s round of 66 was enough to take the honours yesterday and another good performance of 67 kept him within one shot of Garrigus on 13 under.

The Swede signed for five birdies as well as an eagle at the fifth, only for a bogey at hole nine to deny him parity with Garrigus.

Petterson’s co-leader yesterday, Jonathan Byrd, shot 68 to sit third.

The second best performance of the day came from Ernie Els, whose nine-under round of 64 was enough to catapult him 18 positions for a share of fourth.

Alongside Els on 10 under are Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk and Italian Francesco Molinari.

Molinari’s Ryder Cup team-mate Ian Poulter improved in his opening 70 by two strokes, but remains six off the lead, one ahead of Graeme McDowell.