Griffin grabs one-shot Houston Open lead

Lanto Griffin "free-wheeled" his way to a seven-under par 65 to seize a one-shot lead in the Houston Open in pursuit of his first US PGA Tour title.

Griffin on Saturday had nine birdies on the par-72 Golf Club of Houston course for an 11-under total of 205.

He was one stroke in front of fellow American Mark Hubbard, whose five birdies included three in a row at 15, 16 and 17 in a three-under 69 for 206.

Second-round leader Peter Malnati struggled to get anything going, settling for a one-over par 73 that dropped him into a tie for third on 207 alongside Cameron Tringale and Beau Hossler, who both shot 68.

Hossler lost the 2018 Houston Open in a playoff against England's Ian Poulter. Griffin, a 31-year-old two-time winner on the Korn Ferry Tour, was among the players who had to complete the second round on Saturday morning after darkness halted play on Friday.

"Yesterday played really tough," said Griffin, who was pleased to be two-under par and bogey-free when play stopped on Friday,