RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico, March 8 (UPI) -- Andres Romero piled up nine birdies Friday in building a one-stroke lead halfway through the PGA Tour's Puerto Rico Open.
Romero, despite a double-bogey at the par-3 eighth hole, shot 7-under 65 in the second round and is at 14-under 130 after 36 holes.
Scott Brown jumped into second place with a 9-under 63 that moved him to 13-under for the tournament. He had an eagle at the par-4 seventh to go with eight birdies and a bogey on the day.
Peter Uihlein and Steve LeBrun were both 7-under Friday and are tied for third at 12-under. Fabien Gomez, with a bogey-free 8-under 64, is alone in fifth at 11-under 133.
Romero, who was tied for the lead after the first round, had three birdies in his first five holes before taking a 5 at No. 8. He is 3-over on that hole for the tournament.
He held onto the lead, however, with a 6-under 30 on the second nine, including birdies on both pars 3s.
Cameron Percy, who was tied with Romero after Thursday's play, shot 2-under 70 Friday and slipped to a tie for sixth at 9-under for the tournament.
