Round 2: HP Byron Nelson Championship

Patience. That’s what Jason Day needed to combat a very long afternoon in the Texas heat Friday. And it’s what he’ll need this weekend in order to contend for his first PGA TOUR win.

The Australian shot a second-round 5-under 65 — the second-best score behind Yuta Ikeda’s 64 among the afternoon wave — and is 9 under through 36 holes, one shot off the lead shared by Cameron Beckman and Blake Adams.

“It’s exciting,” Day said. “I haven’t played as well as I would have liked to this year, and my main goal tomorrow is to stay patient and just try and get myself into some good opportunities.”

While most of the contenders through the first two days have come out of the late-early draw, Day has been the best player in the opposite draw, having grabbed a share of the seven-way lead after the first round.

He maintained his steady play Friday with a bogey-free round that an eagle at the par-5 seventh when he rolled in a putt from just under 26 feet.

Day hasn’t had a top-10 finish this year as he’s battled some health issues, but he did tie for second last year in Puerto Rico. He knows being in contention may ramp up the nerves, but he’s ready for it. He just needs to keep his putter going — he’s made five putts of 18-1/2 feet or longer this week.

“I’m sure I’m going to be nervous over the weekend if I’m in the hunt,” he said. “But I’m just going to try to play my game.”

To replay Day’s round on Shot Tracker, click here. — Mike McAllister