Ryan Gerard made seven birdies in a bogey-free second round to hold a four-point lead at the halfway stage of the Barracuda Championship.
The tournament uses the Modified Stableford Scoring System, the only event to do so on both the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR.
Gerard, who has special temporary membership on the PGA TOUR, picked up 14 points on the second day’s play on the Tahoe Mountain Club’s par 71 Old Greenwood layout.
The American leads the field for birdies made so far this week along with 16 across the opening two days and for strokes gained with his approach play.
“Really just making sure that I'm hitting the proper shots to the proper sides and not getting overly aggressive.
“I know this is a format where guys like to go out and kind of pin their ears back. But just been trying to pick my spots and play to my strengths.”
His nearest challenger is countryman Patrick Rodgers, who finished off his round with back-to-back birdies in an 11-point day.
“I really enjoy this format,” he said. “I feel like it frees me up. It's fun to play aggressive. It's fun to not worry about making mistakes, really try to attack a golf course.”
Vincent Norrman, who won last week’s Barbasol Championship in a play-off against European Challenge Tour graduate Nathan Kimsey, is lying third.
Sean Crocker sits in a share of fifth place, with 21 points over the opening two rounds, while fellow DP World Tour members Marcus Kinhult and James Morrison are also inside the top ten with 19 points.
First-round leader Noh Seung-yul lost five points a day after making three eagles and scoring a tournament-record 23 points.
Defending champion Chez Reavie got to 15 points after an eight-point day.
