Defending champion Zach Johnson fired a sparkling 67 to join three of his competitors at the top of the leaderboard at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Maui.
Johnson shares top spot with overnight leader Russell Henley, Jimmy Walker and South Korea's Bae Sang-moon after two rounds in Hawaii.
A further five players sat just a single shot back in the 34-man tournament which is only open to players who won on the PGA Tour last season.
Johnson began the day three shots behind Henley but recorded birdies on four and five before he gave a shot back on eight. A birdie followed on the ninth to get him to the turn in 34 and four more on the back nine gave him a share of top spot.
The Aloha State is known for its windy conditions but Johnson has won twice in the Pacific and, despite relatively calm breezes on Saturday, the former Masters champion does not believe scoring was easy at Kapalua Resort.
"I don't feel it was any easier," he told Sky Sports 4.
"Early on it was pretty benign, you probably had to take advantage of it but for the most part I think this what you expect.
"Saying that, clearly it can be more severe."
Walker recorded consecutive birdies on three, four and five and another on nine saw him turn in 32.
Further birdies on 10 and 15 looked to have handed him the outright lead but a bogey on 17 saw him join the pack.
"I got off to a good start, three birdies in a row which was nice," he said.
"I played nine and 10 real well. I could have finished off just a fraction better but it was a great day all-in-all."
Henley registered his first bogey of the week on the second but regained the shot on five and further birdies on 10, 13 and 15 gave him a share of the lead alongside Bae who fired a flawless 69.
Charley Hoffman and Hideki Matsuyama were part of the group a shot back after both men fired 66s while Brendon Todd, Patrick Reed and current FedEx Cup leader Robert Streb were also on 10 under.
Hoffman's round was remarkable and, after picking up a shot on five, he fired five consecutive birdies from nine to 13 and two more followed on 15 and 16. A double bogey then blotted the card but another birdie on 18 left him in a good position.
"It was good," he said. "Obviously, second round of the year just trying to get my feet wet and I made a bunch of birdies and hit a lot of good shots.
"One unfortunate swing I didn't get away with. I got away with a few bad swings out here but not on the 17th hole.
"I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and giving myself opportunities."
Scott Stallings was at nine under, with Matt Kuchar a further shot back, and a group including Jason Day and Bubba Watson were four off the lead.
