HONOLULU, January 11, 2014 (AFP) - Stuard, who leads a Tour event for the first time in his career, finished 36 holes at 10-under-par 130.
"I played pretty well," Stuard said. "Didn't start off very good, but I played pretty good on my last nine, the front nine.
"I enjoy the layout. It's nice to have to hit some shots off the tee, and I enjoy doing that."
Marc Leishman, of Australia, fired a six-under 64 and moved into a share of second place at nine-under at the Waialae golf course. He was joined there by Japan's Hideto Tanihara, who posted a 65 in round two.
Harris English, a two-time winner last year, carded his second 66 for the second straight day and is in sole possession of fourth at eight-under-par 132.
Masters champion Adam Scott posted a four-under 66 and moved into a tie for fifth at seven-under. Australia's Scott was joined in fifth place by Chris Stroud (65), Chris Kirk (69), Jimmy Walker (67), South Korea's Sang-Moon Bae (70) and Jason Kokrak (67).
Stuard began his round with five straight pars from the 10th. He rolled in a 14-foot birdie putt on No. 15 but gave that shot back with a bogey at 17.
"I think it's something to do with the greens," said Stuard. "I feel comfortable on the greens. I feel like I read them pretty well and feel like I'm able to make some putts."
Stuard headed to the ninth hole, his last, at eight under. His second shot to the par-five stopped within three feet of the hole and he drained his short eagle putt to seize the second-round lead.
Stuard has seven consecutive rounds in the 60s at Waialae.
Scores after the second round of the $5.6 million PGA Tour's Sony Open on Friday at the Waialae Country Club course (par-70)
130 - Brian Stuard 65-65
131 - Marc Leishman (AUS) 67-64, Hideto Tanihara (JPN) 66-65
132 - Harris English 66-66
133 - Jason Kokrak 66-67, Jimmy Walker 66-67, Adam Scott (AUS) 67-66, Chris Kirk 64-69, Sang-Moon Bae (KOR) 63-70, Chris Stroud 68-65
134 - Jerry Kelly 67-67, Boo Weekley 67-67, Hudson Swafford 70-64, Greg Chalmers (AUS) 68-66, Matt Every 69-65, Justin Leonard 68-66
135 - Zach Johnson 68-67, Ryan Palmer 65-70, Will Wilcox 69-66, Pat Perez 68-67, James Hahn 67-68, Brian Harman 69-66, Retief Goosen (RSA) 66-69, Jason Dufner 67-68