Finau finishes with a flourish to seize PGA Houston Open lead

Los Angeles: Defending champion Tony Finau made four birdies and an eagle in his last seven holes to grab a three stroke lead early in Friday s second...

Los Angeles: Defending champion Tony Finau made four birdies and an eagle in his last seven holes to grab a three-stroke lead early in Friday's second round of the PGA Houston Open.

The 34-year-old American, the PGA Tour's first player of Samoan and Tongan descent, fired an eight-under par 62 to finish 36 holes at Memorial Park on nine-under 131.

"I've played some nice golf the first couple days and the game's in a good place," Finau said. "Just don't overthink it, get some rest, be properly prepared, properly rested for the weekend."

World number one Scottie Scheffler, seeking a third victory in as many starts, was second on the course at 6-under.

Finau started on the back nine and made a 10-foot birdie putt at 13, a birdie at the par-5 16th after reaching the green in two and a 13-foot birdie putt at 18, followed by his lone bogey of the day at the first.