South Korea’s Sungjae Im is the leader of the American Express, halfway through the event in La Quinta after a brilliant second-round 65.
Im’s consistency was on display yet again on Friday as he made light work of the challenge to move clear of the rest of the field.
WATCH: ‘Snail’ putting technique
Four birdies on the front nine and three as he came home had him sign off for a bogey-free display of seven under par.
Heading into the weekend @TheAmExGolf:
1. Sungjae Im (-11)
T2. @NTaylorGolf59 (-10)
T2. @TonyFinauGolf
T2. @Abraham_Ancer
T2. Si Woo Kim
T2. @BrandonHagy
T7. @GrilloEmiliano (-9)
T7. @F_Molinari
T7. @DougGhim
T10. 8 players tied (-8)— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 23, 2021
Im rose 14 places to the summit of the leaderboard on 11 under and will start moving day with a one-shot lead ahead of a group of five players, currently in T2.
They include Nick Taylor, Abraham Ancer, Tony Finau, Si Woo Kim and Brandon Hagy.
After a solid start on Thursday, South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel had to settle for an even-par round two. He will head into the weekend still on five under par for the event and in T37.
Countryman Erik van Rooyen also signed off on five under par on Friday after going three under for his second round.
