SEA ISLAND, 25 Oct, 2014 (AFP) - Henley moved one shot in front of the field as he finished two rounds at nine-under-par 131.
"I hit it well today. I got one or two nice breaks and felt good with the putter so it was a nice round," Henley said. "I grew up around here playing some golf, and it's good to have lots of support."
Brian Harman, who shared the first-round lead with Erik Compton, Will Mackenzie and Michael Thompson, posted a three-under 67 in round two. Harman was joined in second place at eight-under-par 132 by Brendon de Jonge (64) and Andrew Svoboda (66).
MacKenzie carded a two-under 68 as he fell into a share of fifth at seven-under. He is tied with Mark Wilson (66) and Fabian Gomez (66).
Scott Piercy (67) and Kevin Chappell (67) are tied for eighth at six-under 134. Defending champion Chris Kirk (67) and Compton (70) are two of 11 players in a group at five-under.
Thompson stumbled to a one-over 71 and he fell into a share of 21st place at four-under-par 136.
Henley began on the tenth hole Friday and found a fairway bunker off the tee. That led to an opening bogey, but it was his only one of the round.
Henley settled in with his third birdie of the day at the 18th as he made the turn at four under.
Henley drained an 18-footer for birdie on the eighth hole to move to nine-under then made par at the last hole.
Leading scores after Friday's second round of the US PGA Tour's The McGladrey Classic (USA unless noted, par-70):
131 - Russell Henley 68-63
132 - Brendon de Jonge (ZIM) 68-64, Brian Harman 65-67, Andrew Svoboda 66-66
133 - Mark Wilson 67-66, Will MacKenzie 65-68, Fabian Gomez (ARG) 67-66
134 - Scott Piercy 67-67, Kevin Chappell 67-67
135 - Carl Pettersson (SWE) 68-67, Erik Compton 65-70, Bill Haas 69-66, Chris Kirk 68-67, William McGirt 68-67, Shawn Stefani 66-69, Andrew D. Putnam 68-67, David Lingmerth (SWE) 68-67, Robert Streb 69-66, Mark Hubbard 68-67, Derek Ernst 68-67
136 - Chad Campbell 68-68, Steven Alker (NZL) 69-67, Ken Duke 67-69, Daniel Summerhays 68-68, Michael Thompson 65-71, Cameron Tringale 68-68, Chesson Hadley 66-70