GOLF HAWAIIAN OPEN : Twitty Leads by Picking on Par-Fives

Howard Twitty, continuing his attack on the par-fives, stayed two shots ahead of the field Friday after two rounds of the Hawaiian Open.

“On this course, the par-fives are a big key,” Twitty, 44, veteran said after a four-under-par 68 in brisk winds.

“You look back in this tournament, and I think you’ll find anyone who has played well has played well on the par-fives,” Twitty said.

“You can play the par-fours and three here a long time without making a birdie. You just have to play the fives very well.”

Using a domination of the long holes as his game plan, Twitty reached the halfway point of the tournament at 131, 13 under par for two trips over the Waialae Country Club course.

More than half that total came on the par-fives. In two rounds, Twitty played them seven under and failed to birdie only one, the 508-yard 13th in Friday’s second round.

“And I should have made birdie there,” Twitty said. He missed a four-foot putt.

Fred Funk, a former golf coach at the University of Maryland who scored his first tour victory last year in Houston, closed up with a 66 and was second at 133.

“Amazing what some putting will do for you,” he said. “Just one of those good days. I kind of scrambled and didn’t really drive it that well, but I got some good breaks and made some putts.”

Paul Azinger was next at 135 after a 68. Bill Glasson, whose opening-round 65 left him in second place, dropped to fourth at 136 after a 71. Davis Love III, former Hawaiian Open winner Wayne Levi, Australian Brett Ogle, Dave Rummells and Harry Taylor were next at 137.