Rico Hoey has played in The American Express golf event in La Quinta just once, missing the cut last year. But his history of golf in the desert goes back much deeper than that.

Rico Hoey delivered a scintillating performance at the Nicklaus Tournament Course on Friday (Saturday Manila time), fashioning out a career-best nine-under-par 63 to grab a share of the lead halfway through The American Express tournament in California.

Rickie Fowler charged into contention with 10 birdies and a second-round 62 on the Nicklaus, moving him even with Justin Thomas and Sony Open champion Nick Taylor at 13-under 131. Patrick Cantlay, Will Zalatoris and Doug Ghim were 12 under.