Charley Hoffman and Rico Hoey share lead at midway point in American Express

US golfer Charley Hoffman and Filipino player Rico Hoey shot a pair of 63s to take the halfway lead at The American Express tournament in California.

Hoffman birdied five of his last seven holes on the Nicklaus Tournament course – one of three being used for the event – with Hoey carding eight birdies in 10 holes from the fourth on the same layout.

Hoffman, who included two eagles in his round, is chasing a first PGA Tour win since 2016 after being dogged with back trouble in recent years.

FULL LEADERBOARD

The pair top the leaderboard on 16-under-par, one clear of Austria's Sepp Straka, American Mark Hubbard – who both had 64s on the Pete Dye Stadium course – and compatriot Justin Lower.

Australia’s Jason Day and American JJ Spaun are a shot further back, followed by a group on 13-under par which includes Nick Taylor, winner of The Sony Open last week, and Rickie Fowler who carded a 62 at the Nicklaus course.