NAPA, 11 Oct, 14 (AFP) - Laird, a three-time winner on the US tour, had a 10-under total of 134 and a one-stroke lead over first-round co-leader Bae Sang-Moon of South Korea and American Zach Blair.
Bae followed his first-round 66 with a 69, while Blair carded a 66 for 135.
Laird hit just six fairways, but he needed only 26 putts and was delighted with his performance in the opening event of the US tour's 2014-15 season.
"You never know how you're going to play after seven weeks off like I've had," Laird said. "Played very solid, very solid 67s. I'm extremely happy."
Scott Langley vaulted up the leaderboard with a six-under 66 and was tied for fourth on 136 with Sweden's David Lingmerth (68) and fellow American Mark Hubbard (65).
Japan's Hideki Matsuyama carded a 67 and was alone in seventh.
Laird's six birdies included four in a row at eight, nine, 10 and 11, and he poured in his last birdie at the par-five 18th.
Bae, who made seven birdies and one bogey in his first round on Thursday, carded three birdies without a bogey to keep himself in contention.
His first birdie of the day came at the par-five ninth, and he birdied two of his last three.
Monday qualifier Jarrod Lyle of Australia, who is playing for the first time on tour since twice being treated for leukemia, made the cut by two strokes after shooting a two-under 70.
Leading second-round scores on Friday in the US PGA Tour $6 million Frys.com Open (USA unless noted)
134 - Martin Laird (SCO) 67-67
135 - Bae Sang-Moon (KOR) 66-69, Zachary Blair 69-66
136 - Scott Langley 70-66, David Lingmerth (SWE) 68-68, Mark Hubbard 71-65
137 - Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 70-67
138 - Brooks Koepka 68-70, Tom Gillis 70-68, Hunter Mahan 70-68, Cameron Tringale 69-69
139 - Adam Hadwin (CAN) 70-69, Hudson Swafford 70-69, Cameron Wilson 71-68, Matt Kuchar 71-68, Scott Brown 71-68, Stuart Appleby (AUS) 69-70, Bryce Molder 70-69, Cameron Percy (AUS) 69-70, Byron Smith 73-66 , Colt Knost 68-71
140 - Retief Goosen (RSA) 69-71, Charles Howell 73-67, Erik Compton 74-66, Max Homa 72-68, Tyrone Van Aswegen (RSA) 68-72, Jon Curran 68-72, Carl Pettersson (SWE) 71-69, Scott Stallings 71-69, Charlie Beljan 68-72, Danny Lee (NZL) 73-67, William McGirt 72-68, Luke Guthrie 68-72, Andres Gonzales 66-74, Blayne Barber 73-67