Valspar Championship 2017: Friday Leaderboard Scores and Highlights

Canadian journeyman Adam Hadwin will carry a one-stroke lead into the weekend at the 2017 Valspar Championship after firing a seven-under 64 during Friday's second round at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida.

Hadwin, who entered the week as the 98th-ranked golfer in the world, owns two victories apiece on the Web.com and Canadian Tours in his career, but he's never won a PGA Tour tournament. He finished second in January's CareerBuilder Challenge.

He'll face plenty of competition over the final two rounds, though. There are 12 other golfers within five shots of the top spot after 36 holes.

Here's a look at the updated leaderboard following Friday's action in Florida:

Hadwin is a relative unknown with just two major appearances on his resume since turning pro in 2009. That said, the University of Louisville product has shown signs of a breakout campaign during the early stages of the 2016-17 season.

His second-place finish in the CareerBuilder Challenge included a third-round 59. He's also made nine consecutive cuts since failing to qualify for the weekend in the Safeway Open. He's finished below par in all of those tournaments, a streak he's on track to continue in the Valspar Championship.

Hadwin put together a mundane one-under 35 on the front nine Friday, but he came alive on the back side with six birdies and no bogeys. The run included five straight birdies starting at No. 10 to skyrocket up the leaderboard.

The PGA Tour passed along his post-round comments after grabbing first place:

PGA Tour Media noted leading after Round 2 hasn't usually translated into a Sunday triumph in this event, though:

Tyrone van Aswegen was the day's other big mover. The 35-year-old South African was seven under through 11 holes after starting on the back nine. A couple late bogeys prevented an even better round, but he still moved himself firmly into contention with an eight-birdie day en route to a 65.

While Hadwin and Van Aswegen headlined the day's top performers, the best shot of the day probably belonged to Keith Mitchell.

He's making his PGA Tour debut this week, and he showed off plenty of skill with his short game on the par-four 12th. Working from the deep rough with an uneven stance and a sloped green, he managed to guide the ball perfectly into the cup:

None of those players are the favorite with 36 holes to go. That's Henrik Stenson, who's currently tied for fourth place, at least according to Ken Pomeroy's PGA win probability‏:

All told, the stage is set for an entertaining weekend at Innisbrook with so many players within striking distance of the lead. Don't be surprised if a first-time winner on the PGA Tour lifts the trophy Sunday afternoon, whether it's Hadwin, Van Aswegen or another upstart contender.