Toms, who finished tied for fifth at the US Open at Oakmont last week, shot a 65 to serve as the low round of the day.

Williamson, who attended Trinity College in nearby Hartford, chose an alternate route for success.

He birdied the final two holes to fire his second-consecutive 66 at the TPC River Highlands.

Williamson has recorded a birdie in each round on the par-four 17th, traditionally one of the TPC’s most difficult holes.

Not too shabby for someone who has only played in one PGA tournament this year, missing the cut at the Honda Classic in March.

Hunter Mahan, the first-round leader, had his troubles on Friday but only remains one stroke behind the leaders. He posted a one-over 71 with three bogeys and two birdies – a far cry from his 10-birdie round that landed him eight-under on Thursday.

Chris DiMarco, who was chasing Mahan after shooting a 64 in the first round, also had his difficulties.

After posting seven birdies in the first round on Thursday, DiMarco, who has been hampered by a troublesome shoulder injury, registered four bogeys during an inconsistent day.

DiMarco fell into a fourth-place tie with Charles Warren and Olin Browne, who was victorious in this tournament in 1998.

Browne benefited from back-to-back eagles on 12 and 13 to finish three-under par for the day.

England’s Justin Rose is in a tie for 17th after a two-under-par 68, a score matched by Padraig Harrington, who is two shots back overall.

Fred Funk fired a five-under par in the second round to leapfrog into a five-player tie for seventh place. Funk posted six birdies, including three on the first holes, before bogeying the final hole.

He is tied with Steve Marino, Tom Lehman, Michael Allen and Michael Sim.

Defending champion JJ Henry signed for a 73, which lands him in a tie for 63rd, nine strokes off the pace.

After play was suspended on Thursday due to inclement weather, 40 players finished their first rounds on Friday.