RBC Heritage updates: Day, Chappell, Hoffman lead; Donald 1 back

Jason Day, the world’s top-ranked player, claimed a share of the lead with three birdies in a four-hole stretch of the second round of the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. He is joined at 6 under for the tournament by Kevin Chappell and Charley Hoffman, who both shot 3-under 68 on Friday.

Day, seeking his seventh win in 15 starts worldwide, shot a 69 on the par-71 Harbour Town Golf Links, a narrow, ball-striker's track made all the more difficult Friday by chilly, blustery weather.

“I’m actually pretty tired today,” Day said. “The last two days were pretty difficult. ... We’ll see how the winds go this afternoon.”

As it turned out, they were strong and tricky enough to protect the lead from everyone but Hoffman.

First-round co-leader Luke Donald was a shot behind Day and Chappell by the time his afternoon round started, and that’s where he was when he finished, too. He overcame a double bogey early in his round and shot an even-par 71. He is 5 under, along with Russell Knox, who fired a 65, the day’s low round.

Day, the first golfer ranked No. 1 in the Offical World Golf Rankings to play the RBC Heritage since Donald in 2012, teed off on the 10th hole, bogeyed the 17th then got his round back to even with a birdie on Harbour Town Golf Links’ iconic 18th hole. That started a run of three birdies in four holes. He reached the par-5 second hole in two but missed an 11-foot eagle putt. On the par-4 third hole, he took a share of the lead by rolling in a 12-foot birdie.

Hoffman had a whirlwind day, getting to 6 under with birdies on three of his first four holes, only to fall back with a bogey on the par-5 15th. Finishing his round on Harbour Town’s front nine, he birdied the difficult par-4 eighth, then saved par on the short par-4 ninth despite hitting his drive against a merchandise tent and missing the green with his second shot.

Chappell had one bogey and four birdies on his card. He is seeking his first PGA Tour victory but has been a runner-up twice this season.

Matt Kuchar, the 2014 RBC Heritage champ, was among a group of five at 4 under.

Ten golfers were at 3-under with a handful of groups still on the course at 6 p.m. They included Byrson DeChambeau, who is making his professional debut at the Heritage, a week after he was the low amateur at the Masters. He shot a 69.

Also at 3-under was former International Junior Golf Academy student Morgan Hoffman, former U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover and former Masters winner Zach Johnson.

The projected cut is 2-over. Vijay Singh, Davis Love III and Jason Dufner are among those who would be around for weekend play if that number holds. Former champs Stewart Cink, Graeme McDowell, Brandt Snedeker and Brian Gay would not. Also missing weekend play are Jeff Maggert, a Champions Tour regular who represents Sea Pines, and Savannah native Brian Harman.

We also offer a Harbour Town course guide and an interactive timeline of the tournament’s history.

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This story was originally published April 15, 2016 at 5:51 AM with the headline "RBC Heritage updates: Day, Chappell, Hoffman lead; Donald 1 back."