Madison’s Kelly shares lead in CareerBuilder Challenge

After starting the second round of the 2016 CareerBuilder Challenge tied for first place Friday, Jason Dufner made an emphatic statement that he’s back in peak form with a 65 to lower his total score to 15 under par.

Canadian Adam Hadwin is the only other player at 20 under or better, on that mark through 54 holes.

Jason Dufner patiently worked his way around PGA West’s TPC Stadium Course on Friday to take the lead in the CareerBuilder Challenge.

“Darren knows what I can do, so I don’t think it was imperative (to play well here)”, Sullivan said, “but it bodes well when you do”.

Ready or not after a long layoff and swing changes, Lefty had a prime Saturday tee time on the Pete Dye-designed course that was dropped from the tournament rotation after its 1987 debut.

The leader must be respected and his short price is perfectly understandable, but Dufner faces formidable opposition in the shape of Jamie Lovemark.

“I feel good. I’m confident”, Dufner said. “You have to get yourself around without making some big mistakes….”

“I was hoping to catch up and get a little bit closer than I am right now”, Lingmerth said.

“Visually, it’s a much more intimidating golf course off the tee”, Hadwin said. The 2002 and 2004 champion is winless since the 2013 British Open.

“It was a fun start to the year”, Mickelson said.

Waldorf, 53, shot a 6-under 66 to finish at 18-under 198 at Hualalai Golf Course.

The 49-year-old Kelly had five birdies, eagles on the sixth and 11th holes, and a bogey on the La Quinta Country Club’s par-4 14th, where he lipped out his put for par. The left-hander improved to 6 under par before a pair of disappointing bogeys in the final five holes left him with the final tally.

Twice former champion Phil Mickelson, competing in his first event since last October’s Presidents Cup, carded 66 to trail by six shots. “I had some really good numbers with my wedges, which helps”. The pros, well, they might have had a better idea of what was going to happen.

“I’m relaxed and just playing golf like I should”. The 38-year-old carded a 30 on the front nine thanks to six birdies, including three straight from Nos.

“I was very happy with the way that I struck the ball”, said Kelly, who is seeking his fourth PGA Tour victory and first since the 2009 Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

Dufner and Overton opened on the Nicklaus course, and Lahiri played at La Quinta, the lone holdover in the three-course lineup.

Some confidence is back in Dufner’s veins after a lean spell and off-course problems.