Choi had smashed the course record on Thursday with an eight-under 63 and maintained his two-stroke lead after a second-round 68.

His cause was helped by Australian Rod Pampling, who carded a bogey on the 18th during his round of 68 for an overall score of nine-under after 36 holes.

Choi, who has already won on the PGA Tour this season - the Compaq Classic in May, had a mixed front nine, carding three bogeys and two birdies.

He recaptured his form of Thursday on the back nine, with four birdies and without a single dropped shot.

Afterwards he was scathing of his golf.

He said: "There is always one bad round out of four. You can never have four perfect rounds, so now I have the bad round out of the way."

Pampling carded two bogeys and a total of five birdies as he matched Choi's pace on day two in Florida.

A stroke back in third place was Pat Perez, whose round was halted on the 16th hole when rain caused play to be suspended.

Ty Tryon was among those who will have to complete their second round on Saturday due to the weather.

The 18-year-old recorded five birdies in his opening 13 holes as he moved to three-under for the tournament.

He said: "Physically, I feel really good right now.

"My goal was to be here on the weekend so, as I don't like trip and fall on myself, I'll be fine.

"I'm feeling really confident right now. I hit every fairway and just hit one bad shot today."