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.

Charley Hoffman and Rico Hoey both shot a 9-under 63 on the Nicklaus Tournament Course to share the lead Friday after two rounds at The American Express.

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.