Valero Texas Open 2016: Friday Leaderboard Scores and Highlights

The weather-delayed Valero Texas Open resumed Friday with Brendan Steele ending the second round in the lead after shooting a 70 that brought his 36-hole score to 10 under par. 

Steele was one of many players who had to finish the first round early Friday before starting the regularly scheduled second round. Darkness forced him into the clubhouse after 13 holes yesterday, but it didn't prevent him from continuing his red-hot performance.

Scott Langley, Charley Hoffman and Stuart Appleby are in a three-way tie for second place at seven under par, three shots behind Steele. Here's the leaderboard after Friday's action at TPC San Antonio:

Per the PGA Tour, Steele's score of 10 under par set a new 36-hole record at the Valero Texas Open. He was able to set that mark despite recording a double bogey on No. 15 that threatened to derail his solid performance.

A birdie on No. 17, followed by a par on the final hole, gave Steele a reason to smile as he entered the clubhouse. His damage in the second round came on the front nine, where he shot four birdies, including a save with the putter on No. 8, via the PGA Tour:

Steele has been efficient in several key categories so far, but the green is where he's made his money. The California native has hit 75 percent of his greens in regulation and has gained 2.65 strokes with his putter.

Per Justin Ray of Golf Channel, a victory for Steele would put him in exclusive company:

That stat also illustrated Steele's comfort level at the Valero Texas Open and on the TPC San Antonio course. He's off to a better start this time around, as he was just three under par five years ago. A 68 in the third round was his best of the event, and he's already beaten that mark.

Going back to Steele's first-round finish Friday, in which he was eight under par, ESPN.com's Jason Sobel noted some symmetry with another tournament that darkness plagued:

Steele will hope for a better result this time around. He finished in 11th at the 2015 Honda Classic as his score went up in each subsequent round, going from 66 to 69, 71 and 72. 

Fortunately, there is some breathing room for Steele heading into the weekend. Langley has continued his solid play through two rounds, following his opening-round 69 with a 68 on Friday. 

Mike McAllister of the PGA Tour's official website noted Langley's performance through 36 holes is already better than anything he's done at this tournament:

The 27-year-old doesn't have a top-10 finish and only made the cut four times in his 10 previous tournaments this season.

Hoffman had a chance to end the day alone in second place, entering his final hole at eight under par. His second shot went just 37 yards into the rough and left him with a steep hole to climb out of, though he was able to salvage a bogey.

One notable player who won't be sticking around for the weekend, despite a strong bounce-back effort Friday, is Phil Mickelson. His run got off to a horrid start with a 77 in the first round that included five bogeys and one double bogey. 

Lefty was able to correct his course in the second round with the help of his putter on No. 12, via the PGA Tour:

Mickelson ended the second round with a 71, but his total score of four over par wasn't good enough to keep him in the tournament for the final 36 holes. This marks the second straight tournament in which the 45-year-old has missed the cut, following his disastrous Friday at Augusta two weeks ago. 

While there were many problems for Mickelson, particularly in Round 1, Ray found a specific area that has plagued the five-time major winner since the Masters:

Mickelson's driving accuracy was laughably bad, as he hit just 32 percent of his fairways in the past two days. If he's unable to save his way out of those situations, his driver has to be better than that. 

Yet even without Mickelson, who is the most recognizable name at the tournament, plenty of drama should unfold in Texas.

Steele has just one win on the PGA Tour, so this is uncharted territory for him. He also started to show signs of slowing down following the delayed first round. His ability to putt at the same level over the weekend will determine how high or low he ends up going. 

Ten players are at six under par or better, so the competition will be closing in on Steele if he can't get off to a hot start Saturday.

Stats courtesy of the PGA Tour's official website unless noted otherwise.