LA QUINTA–T&T's Stephen Ames continued his impressive start to the new PGA Tour season when he carved out a smooth 68 in the second round of the US$5.6 million Humana Challenge here Friday.
Ames, who endured a wretched time on the Tour last year, counted five birdies and a bogey at the PGA West course to finish the day 33rd on the leaderboard at nine-under 135 overall.
He carded an opening round 67 on Thursday.
The Canada-based golfer is six strokes behind leader American Roberto Castro who followed up his first round 63 with 67 on Friday.
Starting on the front nine, the 48-year-old picked up shots on the fifth and seventh, to make the turn at two-under. His good showing continued on the back nine with birdies on the 11th and 14th, before he dropped a shot on the 16th.
He recovered well, however, to close out with another birdie on the 18th.
Ames is set to tee off in the third round at 9.50 am (1.30 pm Eastern Caribbean time) in a group comprising Brendan Steele, Scott Penny and Swain Beard.
Last week, Ames made an encouraging start to the season when he finished tied for 20th at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
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