Singh forges one ahead midway through day two at Kapalua

KAPALUA, Hawaii, Jan 6 (Reuters) Vijay Singh eagled the par-five fifth before moving one stroke clear midway through the Mercedes-Benz Championship second round.

One of five players tied for the lead overnight, the Fijian reached the turn at six under overall on a second successive day of strong, gusting winds at the Kapalua Resort.

American Will MacKenzie, one under after eight holes, was alone in second place with big-hitting compatriot J.B. Holmes a further shot back in a three-way tie for third after 17 holes yesterday.

Holmes reeled off four consecutive birdies from the 11th, where he rolled in a 30-footer, to draw level with South African Trevor Immelman and Davis Love III, both after nine holes.

Singh, who opened with a four-under-par 69, picked up his first shot of the day at the par-four third after hitting his approach to within five feet of the flag.

That earned him a share of the early lead with Canada's Stephen Ames, who broke clear of the overnight logjam with a birdie at the opening hole.

Although Singh briefly slipped back with a three-putt bogey at the fourth, he forged one ahead of the pack after reaching the fifth green in two and holing a 20-foot eagle putt.

Ames lost ground by double-bogeying the seventh and was tied for sixth place at three under after 10 holes.

The smooth-swinging Fijian, runner-up at Kapalua twice in the last three years, parred the next four holes to stay one ahead of the chasing pack.

Preferred lies were in operation after the start of the second round was delayed by 80 minutes because of strong winds and driving rain.

The Mercedes-Benz Championship launches the inaugural FedExCup, a season-long points competition culminating in a four-event playoff series with million to be won by the overall champion.

Thirty-four players are competing in the elite-field event which brings together all the title-holders from the previous PGA Tour season.

Notable absentees are world number one Tiger Woods, who announced last week he would not be playing, and Masters champion Phil Mickelson.

REUTERS PM HS0904