Rico Hoey shot an impressive 9-under-par 63 to seize a share of the lead with Charley Hoffman in the second round of The American Express on Friday, Jan. 17, in La Quinta, California.

The 29-year-old Fil-American, who grew up 80 miles away in Rancho Cucamonga and starred at the University of Southern California, came out splendid at the Nicklaus Tournament Course by firing 10 birdies against a lone bogey to grab a two-round total of 16-under 128 midway through this three-course tournament.

He came to the second round three shots behind overnight leader J.T. Poston after carding an opening round 65.

Hoey, who is chasing his first victory in his second full year on the PGA Tour, said he has been playing courses around Palm Spring since he was five years old, and the Nicklaus is one of his favorites.

“I played a lot of junior events out here, so it just feels like I’m home,” Hoey said. “It’s great. Weather is awesome, so we don’t really have too many tough conditions with the wind and whatnot. Made it a lot easier to score. ... I’m still kind of starstruck with a lot of those guys, Hoffman, Cantlay, Rickie and whatnot. For me, it’s really cool just to put my name out there and just keep up with them, so that’s all I’m trying to do."

He started the round with a birdie and briefly tumbled with a bogey 4 on the third hole.

But he immediately picked himself up, shooting four birdies in the next six holes before sizzling with four consecutive birdies from No. 10. He added another birdie on the 16th to eventually grab a one-stroke lead over Justin Lower, Mark Hubbard and Sepp Straka.

Hoffman was just as splendid as Hoey, posting a similar 63 at the same course in the Coachella Valley desert.

Jason Day, an Australian with Filipino descent who won the PGA Championship in 2015, was two shots behind after a 66 along with J.J. Spaun.

Hoffman knows his time on the PGA Tour is running short. He can feel every one of his 48 years whenever his troublesome back acts up, and he knows the recent reduction in tour cards will end most players’ careers well before they reach his age.

Hoffman isn’t done swinging just yet, however.

Back home in Southern California, he battled his way into a share of the lead Friday at The American Express, a tournament he won 18 years ago — and he’s determined to keep fighting until his time runs out.

“When I’m healthy, the weather’s warm, I feel like I can beat anybody in the world,” Hoffman said with a smile. “When it’s cold and my back’s not feeling good, I don’t think I can beat anybody in the world.”