Justin Suh (US) shot a second round six under par 64 to take a one stroke lead on 10 under par in the $8.4 million Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens on the PGA Tour.
25 year-old Suh, a former number one on the World Amateur Golf Ranking turned pro in 2019, and was the Korn Ferry Tour Finals winner as well as the Korn Ferry Player of the Year in 2022.
He had four consecutive birdies on holes eight to 11, rolling in putts from five, 15, 25 and 30 feet in that span.
Kirk had an eagle and six birdies in his round, hitting 16 greens and taking advantage of no wind blowing in the morning.
England's Ben Taylor (65) and Ryan Gerard (US, 63) were tied for third at eight under, with Ben Martin (US, 64), Eric Cole (US, 66) and Brice Garnett (US, 64) all another shot back.
Dubai based Adrian Meronk (Pol), shot a second round 69 to go with his 67 first round to be tied 16th on four under par alongside Shane Lowry (Ire). Meronk had three birdies and two bogeys in a round where he hit 12 greens in regulation and had 31 putts.
Second Round Leaders (Par 70, 7,125 Yards)1 - J. Suh (US) 66, 64 (-10)2 - C. Kirk (US) 69, 62 (-9)3 - R. Gerard (US) 69, 63 (-8) - B. Taylor (Eng) 67, 65 (-8)