Aaron Baddeley hardly looked like the world's 168th ranked golfer as he tied Retief Goosen for the lead after the second round at the $US4.5 million Sony Open in Hawaii.

Looking every bit a thoroughbred, Baddeley tamed testing winds to shoot the day's best score, a six-under par 64 which included seven birdies at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu.

Then sun had already dipped below famous Diamond Head by time the 21-year-old Victorian, playing in the final group of the day, tapped in for birdie at his final hole, the par-five ninth.

But the sun is just rising on a career that - after a few cloudy days - shows boundless promise.

"This is where I dream of being," said Baddeley, who joined South African Goosen (66) at 10-under 130, one stroke ahead of NSW's Peter Lonard (65), South African Ernie Els (65) and American Chris DiMarco (66).

"My first event with my (US) tour card and being tied for the lead after 36 holes is fantastic," continued Baddeley, whose outfit comprised green pants, white shirt and his famous white belt, with the one-iron belt buckle.

"It wasn't an easy day. It was hard to pick clubs in the wind but I enjoy playing in this weather. I wanted to show patience and I showed it with a capital P, whether I hit a good shot or a bad shot. I hit a couple of bad drives, but overall it was solid.

"I'm very confident with my game. If I keep doing what I've been doing the last four to six months, I've got nothing to prove.

"I love being in the last group. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, because it's where I want to be. I enjoy playing with guys like Retief, who are world class, because often you raise your game."

Perhaps the key moment in Baddeley's round came at his 10th hole, the difficult par-four first, where he was in trouble in a greenside bunker in three shots, facing a possible double bogey.

However, he blasted out to tap-in distance to drop only one stroke and came home strongly with three birdies in his final five holes.

Lonard was no slouch either. Australia's hottest golfer picked up where he left off at the end of 2002, using his renowned ball-striking skills to keep the ball under the wind.

"I've always been known as someone who enjoys tough conditions, because I like to hit the ball low," he said.

After missing only one cut in his rookie season on the US Tour last year, Lonard returned home and continued his sizzling form with a joint victory at the Australian PGA Championship, and a win at the Australian Masters.

Those performances further boosted his already overflowing confidence.

"I'm keener than I've ever been," he said. "I haven't done half the work I did last year coming in here, but I'm happier with what I have swing-wise.

"This year I feel more comfortable. I'm hoping to get myself into contention a few times and sneak one (victory) in when no-one's looking."

Of the other Australians, Anthony Painter (66) was equal 14th, five strokes off the pace.

Rod Pampling (69) and Robert Allenby (69) trailed by seven shots, Stuart Appleby (71) by nine and Scott Laycock (70) by 10.

Geoff Ogilvy, Greg Chalmers, John Senden, Craig Parry, James McLean and Gavin Coles missed the cut.

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