Hadwin heats up to grab one-shot lead at Valspar

MIAMI, Florida: Canada’s Adam Hadwin turned red hot at the turn, reeling off five birdies in a row from the 10th on his way to a seven-under-par 64 for a one-stroke lead at the halfway mark of the Valspar Championship here on Friday.

Hadwin, who has a knack for going low as evidenced by the 59 he fired in January in finishing second at the CareerBuilder Challenge, held a 36-hole lead for the first time at a PGA event as he sought a maiden victory on the tour in his 78th start.

Right behind the bearded Canadian was first-round leader Jim Herman, who followed a brilliant opening 62 on the tree-lined Copperhead course with a level par 71 for a nine-under 133 total at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor.

Another shot back was South African Tyrone Van Aswegan, who started at the 10th and made the turn at five-under 30 on his way to a 65 for 134.

Lurking three strokes off the pace was British Open winner Henrik Stenson, a late starter who struggled with the swirling breezes after opening with a 64.

Seventy players made the cut set at even par 142. Among those going home were double Masters winner Bubba Watson (71-144), former world number one Luke Donald (73-144) and three-time winner this season Justin Thomas (74-145).