Blanchet, Hirata share Bermuda lead after two rounds

Chandler Blanchet and Kensei Hirata shared the lead at 13-under 129 after two rounds of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, setting up a weekend contest at Port Royal Golf Course as stronger winds were forecast. Blanchet followed his opening 62 with a four-under 67 on Friday. He had led by one stroke after the first round, when two eagles helped him post a nine-under score. His Friday round included a birdie on the 18th after a wayward drive left him facing a blind approach, according to his account. Hirata, a rookie on the PGA Tour, shot a bogey-free 64 to draw level. He had not previously shared a lead after a round in his PGA Tour season, according to the tournament coverage. Seamus Power was one stroke behind the leaders after a bogey-free 64. Canadians Corey Conners and Ben Silverman also stood at 12-under, each after shooting 67. Eric Cole and Danny Walker were tied with them; Cole carded 65, while Walker finished with a 67 after birdying his final two holes. The 36-hole cut fell at five-under 137. Defending champion Adam Schenk missed it, as did Chandler Phillips, who had entered the tournament at No. 98 in the FedEx Cup Fall standings. Low scores reflected relatively...