Cromwell, Conn. ? Davis Love III shot a bogey-free 6-under-par 64 in breezy afternoon conditions for a share of the second-round Greater Hartford Open lead with Briny Baird and Jonathan Kaye at 8-under 132.

“I spent three or four weeks getting ready for the U.S. Open,” said Love, coming off a 24th-place tie last week at Bethpage Black. “I’m tournament sharp and tough … and a little bit mad.

Davis Love III lines up a putt at the Greater Hartford Open. He was in a three-way tie for the lead Friday at Cromwell, Conn.

“It’s a lot more relaxing golf course than last week. There’s nothing wrong with 8-under leading the golf tournament. The fans don’t want to see guys putting for par.”

He holed a 27-foot birdie putt on the short par-4 15th after a poor chip from the swale in front of the green, and made four other birdies putts from 12-to-15 feet.

Baird and Kay, both winless on the tour, shot 67s on the TPC at River Highlands. Scott Hoch (66) and Kaname Yokoo (68) were a stroke back at 7-under, and Len Mattiace (64), David Peoples (65), Peter Lonard (68) and Hidemichi Tanaka (70) were 6-under.

Defending champion Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia shot 67s to reach 4-under and Ernie Els was 1-under after a 70.

Kaye, playing in the morning session before the wind picked up, was 9-under after 11 holes, but bogeyed No. 4 his 13th of the day and missed an 8-foot birdie putt on No. 8.

Garcia, with girlfriend Martina Hingis following him for the third straight week, played the front nine in 5-under 30 to reach 6-under, but played the last five holes in 2-over. Mickelson, second in the U.S. Open, had five birdies and two bogeys.

Mattiace holed two 40-foot birdie putts and two 25-footers.