Graham DeLaet’s beard care routine is nearly as precise as his pre-shot routine these days, as the 34-year-old golfer’s facial hair has quickly become the talk of the PGA Tour.

“I trim it every day pretty much,” said DeLaet from his home in Arizona. “I shampoo and condition, and I have oils and leave-in conditioner.”

Although the golf course isn’t exactly ideal conditions for DeLaet’s bristly beard – “It gets blown around a lot,” he said – there’s no chance he’s getting rid of it any time soon.

That could make Canada’s highest-ranked male golfer one of the more recognizable athletes at the upcoming Rio Olympics. DeLaet is in the midst of a two-week break before he gets ready for a “hectic” summer that includes a likely appearance representing Canada in Rio, where golf makes its Olympic return for the first time since 1904.

Although a handful of the world’s top golfers including major champions Adam Scott from Australia, Vijay Singh from Fiji, and Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel from South Africa have withdrawn their names from Olympic consideration, DeLaet said he would welcome the opportunity.

“All these guys are getting a lot of heat in the media, but when it comes down to it, they’re grown men and can make their own decisions,” he said. “I don’t really understand it, because I think it would be an absolute thrill to play for your country. For me, it’s something I’m really looking forward to and hopefully have the opportunity to do.”

DeLaet currently sits 119th in the official world golf ranking, 23 spots ahead of David Hearn. That pair will likely represent Canada in Rio, but the final standings aren’t confirmed until July 11.

DeLaet has earned just over US$756,000 in 13 events this year on the PGA Tour. His best finish was a tie for fifth in March at the Valspar Championship, when he entered the final round just one shot back of the lead.

A balky putter ended up being DeLaet’s demise.

“I played great but putted horribly, especially on Sunday. You can’t win golf tournaments like that,” said DeLaet. “But as poorly as I putted, I still finished fifth in the tournament. That spoke to how well I played otherwise.”

DeLaet said he recently took a putting lesson from celebrated golf instructor and analyst Peter Kostis at his home club in Arizona. But he said caddy Julien Trudeau (a “very very distant relative” to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, according to DeLaet) has been the go-to guy for his short game.

“He makes sure my lines are right and my hands are in the right positions. I had gotten a little sloppy with my set-up,” he said. “I got back to basics and squared everything up, and the roll coming off the putter has been a lot better.”

DeLaet will be in the field next week at the Wells Fargo Championship in North Carolina before heading to The Players Championship in Florida and the AT&T Byron Nelson in Texas.

With so many tournaments in a row, DeLaet said the key is to stay mentally sharp.

“Physically I’ve been feeling really good this year, probably the best I have been while on the PGA Tour,” he said. “I’ve been able to practise more than I have been in the past. It’s more on the mental side that I need to stay ready.”

Although his life has changed dramatically after he and wife Ruby welcome twins Roscoe and Lyla in November, he said things have been “really fun” during his break.

“It’s a little extra work after golf, but it’s definitely better than being alone in the hotel room and having to FaceTime them,” he stated.

And do the kids like the beard?

“They tug on (it) every once and a while, but it actually hurts more when they tug on my chest hair versus the beard,” said DeLaet with a laugh. “With the beard they usually just grab a big chunk and pull.

“Not everyone is going to like the beard, but if you don’t like it, that’s fine with me,” he continued. “I’m not insulted if you don’t like my beard, I can take it.”

Tiger Woods registered for the U.S. Open, which was more procedure than pronouncement. Three weeks later, he played five holes during the official opening of the golf course he designed outside Houston. The next step is returning to competition, for which the timeframe remains unknown.

Monday was the first time he had played any golf holes since the Wyndham Championship in August, he said, contrary to speculation that he had played at The Medalist near his home in South Florida. He described those five holes at Bluejack National as “nice and smooth.”

“That’s harder than I have been going at it the last month,” Woods told reporters for Global Golf Post and ESPN. “Just gradually progressing. We’re just trying to progress, and I’m doing that.”

As for the return? Woods said he hasn’t set a date, which he described as frustrating. Then again, he said, he never would have thought he would be this far along five months ago at his tournament in the Bahamas, where he was in pain from two back surgeries.

Woods had to register for the U.S. Open at Oakmont (June 16-19) by the deadline Wednesday.

He offered mixed signals to reporters on when he might play again.

Woods said he has to get stronger and faster and that “I’m not hitting it very far right now.” He said he was able to hit the ball as far as he is now without too much effort, and that he’s trying to work on new drivers.

“I know I need to hit a bunch of drivers. But I can’t hit a bunch of drivers,” he said. “I’m trying to figure that out.”

Then again, he said he eventually has to get back to a competitive environment, where he has to be patient and “plod my way along.”

“I can play a lot more at home and get my playing sense back, but tournament golf is so much different,” he said. “And I’ll have to make those adjustments. And the only way to make those adjustments is to get out there in the heat and feel it.”

Here are a couple videos shared from Tiger’s Twitter account during the Bluejack National opening event.

RG: Taking a crack at the par-3 12th hole. pic.twitter.com/hqArUey34r

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 25, 2016

RG: The tee shot on the long 18th hole. pic.twitter.com/KdI9dQHi1V

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 25, 2016

SAN ANTONIO – Charley Hoffman made a 9-foot birdie putt on the final to win the Valero Texas Open on Sunday.

The 39-year-old Hoffman closed with a 3-under 69 at TPC San Antonio for a one-stroke victory over Patrick Reed. Hoffman finished at 12-under 276 and earned $1,116,000 for his fourth PGA Tour victory.

Playing alongside Hoffman, Reed also birdied the par-5 18th for a 69. He missed birdie putts inside 8 feet on the par-3 16th and par-4 17th.

Reed, who was born in San Antonio, put the pressure on Hoffman with a tap-in birdie at the 18th after reaching the fringe on the 595-yard hole in two. His shot to the green came from the left-hand rough, and had to clear an oak tree and creek in front of the green.

Hoffman followed by hitting his third shot from a greenside bunker to set up his birdie.

Chad Collins was a career-best third at 10 under after a 69. He birdied four of the last five holes.

Third-round leader Ricky Barnes, looking for his first PGA Tour win in 222 tries, stumbled to a 74 to drop into a tie for fourth at 9 under with Kevin Chappell (68), Billy Herschel (70), Ryan Palmer (69) and Martin Piller (70). It was a career best for Piller, the husband of LPGA Tour player Gerina Piller.

Brendan Steele, the 2011 winner who led the first two rounds, had a 75 to tie for 13th at 7 under.

Reed pulled within a shot of Hoffman with a 23-foot birdie putt from the fringe at 15. Hoffman mised a 10-foot birdie try on the hole.

Reed missed a bending, right-to-left putt from 7 feet that could have tied Hoffman at 16, and missed a straighter putt from about the same distance on the next hole.

Piller birdied the 12th with a 14-foot putt to take a two-shot advantage over Reed and Hoffman.

But he gave it back with a double bogey on the par-3 13th. His tee shot plugged into the sand in the steep-faced bunker fronting the green. He blasted out – past the green – then chipped back and two putted.

David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., finished tied for 13th at 7 under while fellow Canadian Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., was tied for 21st at 6 under.

SAN ANTONIO – Ricky Barnes shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead in the Valero Texas Open in a bid for his first PGA Tour victory.

Winless in 221 starts with a career-best runner-up finish in the 2009 U.S. Open, the 35-year-old Barnes had an 11-under 205 total at TPC San Antonio. He closed with a bogey after a wild drive near a cactus bush on the par-5 18th.

“I’d be lying if I would say it was a successful career being out here without a win,” Barnes said. “This is why you play the game, right? Come in on Sundays and have a chance to win.”

Brendan Steele, the leader after each of the first two rounds, was second after a 72.

“I played with Ricky last week, and his game is looking really good right now,” said Steele, the 2011 winner for his lone tour title. “I was really struggling. I was able to make enough recovery shots to not make many mistakes and I was able to be patient enough and make a couple of birdies at the end.”

Former world No. 1 Luke Donald and three-time tour winner Charley Hoffman were two strokes back. Donald, coming off a second-place tie last week in the RBC Heritage in South Carolina, shot a 68. Hoffman missed a 7-foot birdie putt on the last hole and settled for a 70.

“Sure feels good to be back in contention again and having chances to win,” Donald said. “I switched putters last week (and) obviously making more putts.”

Patrick Reed was fifth at 8 under after a 70. He was born in San Antonio.

Billy Horschel (67) and three-time major winner Padraig Harrington (68) were 7 under along with Chad Collins (67), Jon Curran (71), Martin Piller (71) and Nick Taylor (66).

Horschel hasn’t won since the 2014 Tour Championship, and Harrington has one PGA Tour win last year in the Honda Classic since his claimed his third major at the 2008 PGA Championship.

“I think if I’m in command of my game,” Horschel said, “it doesn’t matter where I am. I can get the job done. I’ve figured out something in my swing.”

In addition to his seven birdies, Barnes did well to rescue himself from trouble. His bogey from the 18th could have been much worse when his drive went left and settled next to the cactus.

“A bad swing at the end,” Barnes said. “If you told me 5 under today, I would have taken it before the round.”

He birdied No. 11, 12 and 14 to take the lead. He managed that despite finding the fairway bunker at No. 12, and he blasted to 3 feet from a greenside bunker at the par-5 14th.

“It’s not a fluke being out here,” said Barnes, coming off a ninth-place tie in the RBC Heritage. “I’ve been showing a lot lately. Just need to keep what I’m doing the last three days.”

Steele got off to a sticky start. He wasn’t as lucky as Barnes when pulled his tee shot on No. 2 into a cactus bush and took an unplayable lie on the way to a bogey.

“I didn’t hit many fairways today,” Steele said. “Kind of bad right out of the gate.”

Hoffman had a share of the lead before a bogey at No. 12. He reached the par-5 14th in two and converted for a birdie, and made a 6-footer for another birdie at 16.

“Obviously, this course fits my eye,” Hoffman said. “I’ve been knocking on the door for the last month and a half. I want to get a win and take what comes along.”

SAN ANTONIO – Brendan Steele completed an 8-under 64 in the morning and shot a 70 in the second round Friday to take a three-stroke lead in the Texas Open.

“You always want to keep going when you’re feeling good,” said Steele, who was 8 under through 13 holes Thursday when first-round play was stopped because of darkness. “The ball was going a long way in the afternoon. Really good conditions. … Come out this morning early and little bit colder and try to re-gather that momentum was a little bit different.”

The 2011 winner at TPC San Antonio for his lone tour title, Steele had a 10-under 134 total.

“I always feel good here,” Steele said. “I know the shots. The course sets up really well for me. Kind of plays into my strength, which is usually driving the ball.

“And so to see it play a little bit softer and with a little less wind, my eyes kind of lit up. It always plays so difficult, firm and fast and the winning score is just a handful under par usually. To see it soften up a little bit, I knew it was good.”

Play was suspended because of darkness with 13 players left on the course. The schedule was thrown off Thursday morning with a 3 1/2-hour rain delay.

Scott Langley, Stuart Appleby and Charley Hoffman were tied for second. Langley shot 68, Appleby 70, and Hoffman 71. Appleby rallied after four-putting from 7 feet for a triple bogey on his opening hole.

“I was swatting at it _ a golf ball got in the way,” Appleby was able to joke. “I was doing like when Seve (Ballesteros) had a four-putt many years ago. I asked him, ‘How did you have a four-putt?’ He said ”I miss. I miss. I miss. I make.’“

Nick Taylor is the top Canadian through 36 holes after shooting a 4-under 68 on Friday. The Abbotsford, B.C., native sits at 1 under, good for 40th spot. David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., is even after a 1-under 71 in the second round.

Patrick Reed (73) was 6 under along with Ricky Barnes (70), Jon Curran (68), Sung Kang (67), Spencer Levin (69), Peter Malnati (71), Ryan Palmer (70) and Mark Wilson (69).

“I feel like I hit a couple of loose shots,” said Reed, who was born in San Antonio. “The game feels solid. Just the ball striking a little bit.”

Branden Grace, the RBC Heritage winner last week in South Carolina, shot his second round 72 to make the cut on the number.

Defending champion Jimmy Walker missed the cut with rounds of 75 and 77. Phil Mickelson also dropped out, shooting 77-71.

“I don’t feel bad about the physical game, the ball coming off the blade,” Mickelson said. “The swing is on plane. I need better mental focusing, seeing the shot before I step into it.”

Former SMU star Bryson DeChambeau also missed the cut in his second pro start, shooting 74-73.

SAN ANTONIO – Brendan Steele topped the Texas Open leaderboard at 8 under through 13 holes Thursday when the first round was suspended because of darkness.

Steele, whose only PGA Tour victory came in the tournament five years ago, was unable to finish the opening round after play was delayed for 3 1/2 hours because of morning rain.

Among those who did finish, Charley Hoffman had a 6-under 66, a stroke ahead of Stuart Appleby and Peter Malnati.

Defending champion Jimmy Walker opened with a 75. Walker had four rounds under par last year in his hometown event to hold off Jordan Spieth in what was his last PGA Tour victory.

Spieth isn’t in this year’s field, the first time since he turned pro at the end of 2012 that he missed a Texas event.

When Steele returns Friday morning to complete the first round at the TPC Oaks Course, he could make a run at the course record of 63 set by Matt Every in 2012 and matched by Martin Laird in 2012.

There are a pair of Canadians in the field this week. Brantford, Ont.’s David Hearn was 1-over with 1-hole remaining. Abbotsford, B.C.’s Nick Taylor was 3-over thru 14 holes.

Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa won’t be taking part in golf’s return to the Olympics this year, the third major champion to withdraw in the last week as the deadline nears to confirm participation.

Oosthuizen, who won the 2010 British Open at St. Andrews is No. 12 in the world, said Thursday he was pulling out because of family and scheduling issues.

“I have always represented South Africa with pride, so didn’t make my decision without a great deal of thought,” Oosthuizen said.

Adam Scott, the 2013 Masters champion and No. 7 in the world, cited the busy schedule around the Olympics when the Australian said Tuesday he was withdrawing.

Vijay Singh, a three-time major from Fiji, said last week he was not going to play. The 53-year-old Singh has not won on the PGA Tour for nearly eight years. By not playing, Fiji will not have a representative in Rio because no other male professional has any ranking points.

The International Golf Federation said in a statement, “We’re disappointed with the decision, but we respect the scheduling and personal reasons they cite.”

Potential golfers must submit on May 6 to Olympic drug testing, which is more stringent than the random testing on the PGA Tour. Candidates for the Rio Games are subject to testing at any time and must inform officials of their whereabouts.

Golf is returning to the Olympics for the first time since 1904, a 72-hole stroke-play event for 60 men and 60 women. Qualifying is based on the world ranking, with no country allowed more than two players if they are outside the top 15. Countries, such as the United States in men’s golf and South Korea in women’s golf, are allowed a maximum of four players if they are in the top 15.

Scott’s withdrawal means Marc Leishman (No. 34) would be the top candidate to replace him. The other eligible Australian is Jason Day, who is No. 1. Former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa is No. 20 and would be the best bet to replace Oosthuizen. Branden Grace at No. 11 is the highest-ranked South African.

There is no team competition in Rio.

Jack Nicklaus, at a charity event for the Memorial, told Golf Digest on Wednesday that Scott not playing was “sad for the Olympics and for the game of golf.”

“I don’t know Adam’s circumstances, so I couldn’t comment on what he’s dealing with,” Nicklaus said. “Obviously, he felt like he couldn’t play, and if he felt that way, I understand. But it’s unfortunate. What I’m concerned about is that golf has a little bit of momentum going right now. If the guys don’t want to participate, then we might not be in the Olympics after this. They vote next year.

“And if they vote to keep golf in, then that’s great, but if not then we lose that momentum with growing the game.”

The men’s competition is Aug. 11-14, and it caps a hectic summer schedule. From the U.S. Open (June 16-19) through the PGA Championship (July 28-31), there are three major championships and a World Golf Championship at Firestone.

The British Open ends on July 17 at Royal Troon in Scotland. The RBC Canadian Open runs July 18-24 at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont. The PGA Championship goes the following week at Baltusrol in New Jersey.

Nearly half of the men’s current field for the Olympics would then have one week off before the FedEx Cup playoffs begin in New York on Aug. 25. Three straight weeks of playoff events would be followed by one week off, the Tour Championship and then straight to Minnesota and the Ryder Cup for U.S. and European players.

Day, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy have all indicated they are looking forward to the Olympics.

Tennis faced similar issues when it went back on the Olympic program in 1988 at Seoul. Boris Becker and Mats Wilander withdrew with injury, while John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova declined to play.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – Branden Grace has had his share of big moments. He believes winning the RBC Heritage is his biggest, by far.

The 27-year-old South African had won 10 times overseas, finished in the top five last year in the U.S. Open and PGA Championship, and went 5-0 for the International team at the Presidents Cup. On Sunday, he shot a 5-under 66 to overtake Luke Donald for his first title on the PGA Tour.

“This really puts the cherry on top of the cake,” Grace said. “And I’m excited for things to start.”

Grace has already fashioned a very accomplished career. He’s 14th in the world ranking and three of his seven career wins on the European Tour have come since 2015.

“I can tick this one off the box and head into the next couple of majors trying to win it,” he said. “I have one notch, I’ve done it before and I can do it again.”

Grace trailed leader Luke Donald by three shots when the round began, but wiped out that deficit by the turn with five birdies. Grace took the lead for good with consecutive birdies on 12 and 13.

He overcame a final challenge on the 16th hole, rolling in a 12-foot par putt to maintain a three-shot lead. A hole behind, Donald lipped out a birdie try. He could get no closer.

Grace finished at 9-under 275, two shots ahead of Donald and Russell Knox. Donald shot a 71, and Knox had a 67.

Grace earned $1,062,000 and a PGA Tour exemption through the 2017-18 season, which he said was a weight off his mind and will allow him to comfortably contend without worrying about keeping his tour card.

Grace also became the latest to rally past hard-luck leader Donald at Harbour Town Golf Links. The Englishman has finished second four times and third twice in the past eight events here.

Brandt Snedeker shot a final-round 64 to catch Donald and win in a playoff in 2011. Matt Kuchar shot a 64 in 2014, overtaking Donald for the win with a chip-in from the bunker on the 72nd hole.

Donald said Saturday after taking a one-shot lead he’d need to be aggressive and make birdies. That did not happen. He settled for pars on the opening six holes, while Grace moved in front with four birdies on the same stretch.

Donald got to 8 under with a birdie on the seventh hole, then quickly gave it back on No. 8 when he drove in the water and took bogey.

He caught Grace one final time with a ninth-hole birdie, but could not keep up with the South African.

“I think I’ve got to put myself three or four behind on Sunday,” Donald said. “Leading doesn’t seem to be working out for me.”

Although Donald earned $519,200 and moved past five-time RBC Heritage champion Davis Love III for second in tournament winnings here with $3,063,520.

Graham DeLaet, of Weyburn, Sask., was the top Canadian, finishing tied for 14th at 2-under 282. DeLaet shot par on Sunday. Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., moved up 25 spots on the leaderboard to tie for 30th following a 4 under in his final round.

Bryson DeChambeau, the former SMU star who won the NCAA and U.S. Amateur last year, tied for fourth in his first event since turning pro, four shots behind Grace after a 68. Kevin Na was tied with DeChambeau after a 69.

Top-ranked Jason Day rebounded from a season-worst 79 on Saturday with a 68 to tie for 23rd at 1 under. He now gets a week off before returning to play at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, starting on April 28. He said he’ll use the time to refresh his mind and improve his fitness, which he said got a bit loose during this last run of tournament golf.

Not that it hurt him on the course. In the past month, Day won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the World Golf Championship’s Dell Match Play event. He tied for 10th at the Masters and shared the 36-hole lead at Harbour Town until his third-round blow up.

His finish was his third round in the 70s this week. “A lot of positive stuff” at the tournament, Day said. “I’ve just got to get back, just rest my mind, rest my body and try and get back in the swing of things.”

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – For Luke Donald, it’s another chance to end his hard-luck history at Harbour Town Golf Links. For Jason Day, it’s a rare round to forget for the world’s No. 1 player.

While Donald took the lead Saturday at the RBC Heritage with a 2-under 69, Day – tied atop the leaderboard entering the round – had a season-worst 79 to fall nine shots behind.

“It’s obviously not the way I wanted to play,” said Day, the winner of two of his past three PGA Tour events.

It was exactly what Donald wanted at one of his most successful courses. He has mastered the swirling wind, tight fairways and really small greens better than just about anyone since 2009 with five top-three finishes over that span. The only thing he hasn’t accomplished? Victory.

He has learned from those close calls that he can’t sit back Sunday and allow others – like winners Brandt Snedeker did in 2011 or Matt Kuchar did in 2014 – to zoom past him as he pars his way home.

“I can’t sit back on my heels,” the Englishman said.

Donald was at 7-under 206 through 54 holes, a stroke in front of Jason Kokrak and Charley Hoffman. Kokrak shot 68 while Hoffman had a 71. Patton Kizzire shot a 71 and was another shot behind in fourth. British Open champion Zach Johnson, after a 70, was among three at 4 under.

Donald was a stroke behind when the round started and quickly moved up with three birdies on his first eight holes to reach 8 under. He bogeyed the 13th and trailed Hoffman by a shot. But Donald steadied his game with five straight pars over the windy back nine to get himself on top once more.

Donald has won more than $2.5 million at the RBC Heritage, the third-highest total. But he’s known as much for his disheartening defeats on Pete Dye’s tricky layout. Snedeker rallied from six shots behind Donald to force a playoff and win in 2011.

Three years later, Kuchar’s chip in from a bunker in front of the 72nd hole capped a four-shot comeback and left Donald, whose last of five PGA Tour wins came in 2012, in second once more.

“I think it’s a bit dangerous to say a place owes you,” Donald said. “Certainly, I’ve knocked on the door many times. I’d love to put that tartan jacket on tomorrow.”

One who figured to join the battle was Day, but his round went bad right from the start.

Tied for the top and playing in the final group, Day came up short of the first green and made bogey. Two holes later he drove into water after hitting some trees way right of the third fairway for a double-bogey 6. The wheels came off for good during an awful stretch around the turn – Day made five bogeys in a six-hole span.

His 79 was his highest round of the year and his worst showing in 63 rounds since an 81 last year in the second round of The Players Championship.

“I felt like there was a good score out there today if you hit it in the right spots,” Day said. “And unfortunately, I just kept missing it in the wrong spots.”

Day attempted to take his poor play in stride, signing autographs for fans behind the 18th green. After winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The WCG-Dell Match Play, finishing 10th at the Masters, Day said several times this week he was ready for a break – which the PGA Championship winner will get next week.

Hoffman also has a score to settle with Harbour Town. He was the 54-hole leader here in 2013, yet ballooned to a 77 in the final round. He looked like he would hold the lead after moving to 8 under, one up on Donald, with a birdie on the 16th hole. Yes, he missed a 6-footer for par on No. 17 and a 17-foot putt from the back fringe on No. 18.

“Hopefully, I can reach down deep,” Hoffman said. “I know I’ve done it before.”

Jason Bohn continued his up-and-down play in his first tournament back since a heart attack in February. Bohn ballooned to a 4-over 75 on Saturday – a round that including back-to-back double bogeys.

Boeing, the presenting sponsor, showed off another of its 787 Dreamliners to the RBC Heritage crowd. The sleek aircraft glided along the 18th hole over Calibogue Sound before leaving. It’s the fourth time the company, the presenting sponsor of the tournament, has showcased its aircraft with a flyover.

Past RBC Heritage champion Carl Pettersson was among seven players who missed the cut after the third round. New pro Bryson DeChambeau briefly got himself into the mix with three birdies on his first four holes. He made four bogeys after that and stands five shots back of Donald.

A 1-over 72 performance has Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., in a tie for 13th to lead the Canadian contingent. Abbotsford, B.C., native Adam Hadwin carded a 73 and sits T55. Fellow Abbotsford product Nick Taylor survived the third-round cut, but will not advance to the final round after shooting a 77 on the day.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – Jason Day is back at the top in a bid for his third PGA Tour title in a month.

Coming off a disappointing Masters, the top-ranked Day shot a 2-under 69 on Friday at the RBC Heritage to share the second-round lead with Kevin Chappell and Charley Hoffman.

Chappell and Hoffman shot 68s for the second straight day to match Day at 6-under 136..

Luke Donald, tied for the first-round lead after a 66, was a stroke back along with Russell Knox and Patton Kizzire. Donald had a 71. Knox shot a 65, the best round of the week. Kizzire had a 68.

Past tournament champion Matt Kuchar topped the group at 4 under after a 71.

Canada’s Graham DeLaet was tied for 11th at 3-under after a 70 on Friday. Fellow Canadians Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin had a share of 63rd at 2 over.

Day has won two of the past three times he’s entered, starting with a one-shot victory over Chappell a month ago in the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Day followed that with a victory at the WCG-Dell Match Play and was a strong choice to slip on his first green jacket last week at Augusta National. Instead, Day tied for 10th and was never truly part of the drama in Jordan Spieth’s late collapse and Danny Willett’s triumph.

Now, Day is fighting off the fatigue and finding success again at Harbour Town Golf Links.

“I felt like I was kind of punch drunk a little bit,” he said of Thursday’s start. “But came out today a lot more alert and on top of it.”

That’s bad news for the rest of the field because Day has shown there aren’t many who can match him when he’s playing like this.

“I may be a little bit mentally fatigued, but it’s not an excuse,” he said. “I need to get out there and hit the shots and focus.”

Day hit the shots he needed at the most crucial times.

Starting on No. 10 a shot behind leaders Donald and Branden Grace, Day could not get going in the chilly, damp conditions. He kick-started the round with a birdie on the wind-swept, lighthouse 18th, rolling in a 10-footer.

Birdies on the second and third moved him on top. When he fell a stroke behind Chappell with a bogey on the par-5 fifth – Day hit his drive out of bounds – he recovered with a birdie on No. 6.

Day felt the weight of the past few weeks of winning golf on the fifth green as he lined up the 4-foot putt needed to limit the damage from his bad drive. That’s when he channeled the mindset he’s had since last summer when he won the PGA Championship.

“Moments like that where you get to a breaking point, where you go, ‘OK, I’m starting to lose focus now.’ Because I was playing great, but it went out of bounds. I can’t think about it. I’ve just got to keep pushing on.”

Chappell’s pushing on, too.

He has earned more than $1.4 million in 11 events this year, the bulk from two runner-up finishes. Chappell’s best showing in his nine other tournaments? A tie for 26th at the Northern Trust Open.

“My game didn’t go anywhere,” Chappell said. “I’m still on form and really excited to be here and really excited about where things are at.”

Hoffman, who held the 54-hole lead here in 2013, had a tying birdie on the difficult par-4 eighth hole, then scrambled for par from the pine straw when his drive on No. 9 landed near the merchandise tent.

“Once you get in the lead, you can’t let up, you’ve got to keep making birdies,” Hoffman said. “That’s what Tiger did so well during the early 2000s and that’s what I’m going to try and do on the weekend.”