Los Angeles: American Charley Hoffman maintained a one-shot lead at the US PGA Tour’s Houston Open on Friday in the weather-hit second round.
Hoffman had four birdies and two bogeys in his two-under par 70 that put him on 10-under 134.
He was one stroke in front of American Jamie Lovemark, who carded a 68 for 135.
Americans Chez Reavie and Dustin Johnson were in the clubhouse on 136, Reavie posting a 70 and Johnson signing for a 71.
Johnson completed his round shortly before darkness halted play with 27 players still on the course, the result of a 90-minute morning delay because of thunderstorms.
Among those still to finish, Wales’ Jamie Donaldson and American Roberto Castro were eight-under for the tournament through 15 holes — tied for third with Reavie and Johnson.
World number two Jordan Spieth did little to build momentum for his Masters title defence next week.
Spieth was six adrift on 140 after a one-over 73 on Friday.
The US star, who was supplanted atop the world rankings by Jason Day on Monday, was in the water at two par-fives and struggled on the greens.
“I have to putt better,” Spieth said. “I’m losing a couple strokes to the field on putting and normally we’re gaining strokes.
“Inside 10 feet, I need to be solid and confident. I can’t get into a rhythm. I’m stepping off putts.”
Spieth, who teed off on No. 10, made bogey on both of the front nine’s par-fives, hitting his tee shots on four and eight into the water.
“It just kind of really stinks to keep on making those mistakes,” he said.
