Rory Sabbatini in Honda move after course record 64

After a tough opening round that saw only eight players break par, Sabbatini made the most of improved conditions at the Palm Beach Gardens layout, mixing seven birdies with a single bogey to jump to the top of the leaderboard with a midway total of five-under 135.

American Kyle Stanley, who was among the late starters, was lurking one shot back going two-under through five holes while compatriot and overnight leader Spencer Levin was one-over on the day and three off the pace with six to play.

Lee Westwood, who could reclaim the No 1 world ranking from Germany's Martin Kaymer, who is not playing in Florida, with a solo third place finish or better, was two-under early in his round.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, the world No 4, settled for a one-over 71 to leave him at four-over through two rounds and in danger of missing the cut that was projected at five-over.

Two former Honda champions, South African Ernie Els and Colombian Camilo Villegas, were also battling to make the weekend.

Canadian Mike Weir, the 2003 US Masters champion, who needed a strong result at the Honda Classic to retain his PGA Tour exempt status, did not come close to his goal.

He bumbled his way to a 15-over 85 that included a triple- bogey, four double-bogeys and four bogeys.

In his opening round, Levin had four birdies and one bogey on his charge to the head of the pack, where he remained all through a long afternoon where many rounds ran to more than five hours as a result of the 20-30mph winds.

Levin admitted the trying conditions meant a conservative approach had been required. He said: "It's a different kind of golf. You get in a par mode, where you just have to take what the course gives you."

World No 3 Luke Donald, the winner of last weekend's WGC-Accenture Match Play, shot a 73.