RBC Heritage 2017: Graham DeLaet, Luke Donald Tied for Lead After Round 2

Graham DeLaet and Luke Donald hold a share of the lead at 10-under par heading into the weekend at the 2017 RBC Heritage. The co-leaders posted matching second rounds of 67 on Friday at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.      

While DeLaet and Donald are two strokes clear of their closest competitors, plenty of notable names are on the list of contenders. Ian Poulter (eight-under), Webb Simpson (eight-under), Jason Dufner (seven-under), Brandt Snedeker (five-under) and Martin Kaymer (five-under) are among the golfers within five shots of the top spot.

Here's a look at the updated tournament leaderboard through 36 holes:

DeLaet started the day in mediocre fashion as a bogey on the third hole combined with a handful of pars left him one-over par through seven. He caught fire over a five-hole stretch in the middle of the round, however, with three birdies and an eagle starting at No. 8 to vault into first place.

The 35-year-old Canadian is still searching for his first career PGA Tour victory. He's finished second three times, but the most recent instance came in the 2014 Waste Management Phoenix Open, as his form has faded in recent years.

Jeremy Schilling of PGA Magazine discussed the winless drought:

The PGA Tour passed along DeLaet's post-round comments:

Donald pulled into a tie atop the leaderboard in thrilling fashion on the 18th. His approach shot failed to find the green despite a picture-perfect tee shot. He made up for the mistake with an outstanding flop shot to end his day with a hole-out birdie.

The PGA Tour highlighted the momentum-building action:

It's been a struggle throughout the 2017 season for the former world No. 1. He's missed three cuts and failed to register any top-10 finishes in his previous eight starts. But the Englishman's pedigree is strong with 16 career wins, including five on the PGA Tour.

Ron Mintz of My Golf Daily noted Donald's well-rounded skill set made up for a poor round off the tee:

Donald wasn't the only one to end his Friday with a hole out, though. Adam Hadwin posted a five-under 66 to keep himself within striking distance of the leaders in large part because of his eagle on the ninth—his final hole of the round after starting on the back nine.

The PGA Tour showcased another contender for the shot of the day:

Meanwhile, the second round wasn't nearly as memorable for 18-hole leader Bud Cauley. He posted a blistering eight-under 63 to open the event Thursday but could only manage a one-over 72 in Round 2 to drop him into a tie for fifth place heading into moving day.

All signs point to a competitive battle over the weekend. DeLaet and Donald are a couple of shots clear of the field, but Harbour Town is posing a tough challenge this week, which will likely prevent anybody from running away from the chase pack over the next two days.

Kevin Kisner is one player to keep an eye on Saturday. He's four shots off the pace, but his seven-under 64 in the second round was two shots better than anybody else on the course. The South Carolina native has also finished 11th or better in four of his last seven stroke-play starts.