article_snippet.sent: ' defending champion Matt Kuchar is tied for second place with John Merrick, having followed defending champion Matt Kuchar first-round 68 with a 66.
article_snippet.sent: John Merrick fired a round of 65 on Friday, mixing seven birdies with a single bogey on the par-four 12th.
article_snippet.sent: The pair are one shot ahead of a group of three players which includes Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell, who carded a 69 to go with his 66 from day one.
highlights_snippet.sent: The American cruised to the top of the leaderboard on 12 under overall .