Choi has 3-shot lead in Sony Open

He was at 11-under-par following a second-round 65.

HONOLULU (AP) — A different week, a different island and a much different view for K.J. Choi.

Seven days ago, Choi was bringing up the rear in the Mercedes-Benz Championship, last among 31 winners at Kapalua going into the weekend. Friday, he closed with three straight birdies for a 5-under 65 and a three-shot lead in the Sony Open.

With half of the field on the course in the afternoon, Choi set the target.

He was at 11-under 129, three shot clear of Stephen Marino among those who played in the morning. Marino was atop the leaderboard for most of the morning until his momentum stalled with a bogey on the easiest hole, although he recovered for a 67.

Fred Funk, aided by a tip from his wife, finished birdie-eagle for a 64 to give the 51-year-old a decent chance before leaving the kids to play on the Champions Tour in Hawaii the next two weeks.

“Pretty good for an old guy,” Funk said.

Choi is off to his best start ever at Waialae, where the second round has derailed him in the past. He was only 1 under for his round with five holes remaining until making four birdies, the last one a two-putt on the par-5 ninth from some 25 feet.

That made him 25 shots better than his 36-hole start at Kapalua.

“After the third round [at the Mercedes], I really found my rhythm coming back,” Choi said. “My putting was getting better, and I was actually motivated. I knew that I was going to play better than last week, but I didn’t really think about being in the lead or anything.”

Tadd Fujikawa was only thinking about making the cut.

Fujikawa, who last year at 16 became the youngest player in 50 years to make the cut on the PGA Tour, is now a professional and still without his first tournament earnings. He started his round in a tie for 124th, and likely needed at least 65 to have a chance.