Susanne Kemper at Kapalua reports ………..Steve Stricker sizzled on day two of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions shooting a 63 to burst five shots clear of the field at the PGA Tour season-opening event at Kapalua.

Striker, looking to capture a 12th PGA Tour win, ended the day on 15-under par with PGA Champion Webb Simpson a distant second with a 68 for a 10 under par tally in the $5.6m event being staged on the par 73 Plantation Course on the island of Maui.

The current World No. 6 ranked Stricker recorded four birdies on the front nine  before grabbing an eagle on the 15th ahead of birding his closing four holes.

“It was a special day shooting 10 under. I made a lot of putts, nailing the par fives,” said Stricker.

“The closing stretch starting at 14 to go five under was key.

“I recall I had an opportunity to win this event in 2008 but lost in the play-off to (Daniel) Chopra.”

Kevin Na sensationally ends his second round eagle, eagle. (Photo - Susanne Kemper)

But while Stricker leads by five, Saturday’s second round story was that of 28- year old  Kevin Na.

Na got off to a slow start until sinking a 10-foot birdie putt on the ninth ahead of five consecutive birdies.

On the par four, 17th (508 yards) Na sensationally found the bottom of the cup in hitting a superb 5-iron from 219 yards into the hole for eagle.

Pumped-up on the 18th tee, Na blasted a drive down the center of the fairway, then hit a 3-wood to 10 feet for eagle to get to nine under and shooting 29 on the back nine.

“It just all started coming together on the back,” Na laughed in finishing eagle and eagle.

“I think it’ll be the best finish of my life. I don’t think I can do much better.”

Na came home to Las Vegas after holidays in Korea visiting his father who is recovering from leukemia and having fun with his brother, Austin.

“I put some weight on in Korea, so I worked out hard in the gym burning up 5% body fat I had acquired,” he said.

“I worked on my game, a lot on driving with my new coach Dale Lynch.

“As for my goals for 2012.  I just want to win again. My goal to get back to Maui next January to tee it up here again.”

With a pair of 68’s the World No. 10 ranked Simpson is continuing the top form he exhibited in 2011 winning twice and his great play in the President’s Cup.

On debut in Kapalua, Simpson felt “the course was playing easier today, the wind was down a bit, plus I found the pins more accessible. I was happy to finish with birdie on three of the last four.”

Scotland’s Martin Laird lies fourth tied with Jonathan Byrd at eight under.

Laird’s double bogey on 17, due to a wayward drive, dropped him back to 70 (-3) while Byrd never got any momentum shooting 71. 

Laird confirmed he has taken out European Tour ‘affiliate membership’ in a goal to try and qualify for the 2012 Ryder Cup.

“I have to go for the world ranking points,” he said.

“I will decide in the next week or so about PGA Wentworth but the first third of my season is playing here, getting as many points as I can.”