Cameron Smith has extended his lead in the PGA tournament in Hawaii to three shots after four straight birdies saw him sign for a nine-under 64.

Cameron Smith has overcome an early wobble to match the course record and extend his lead at the US PGA Tour's Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.

After opening with an eight-under-par 65 to hold a one-shot lead, Smith made a shaky start to his second round with two straight bogeys at Kapalua.

But the Queenslander recovered in stunning style, finishing with four successive birdies to record a nine-under 64 to take a three-stroke lead into the third round over Spanish world No.1 John Rahm and American Daniel Berger.

Rahm didn't miss a fairway or a green the entire round and posted another 66 while Smith's countryman Marc Leishman burst to life on the back nine, finishing with six birdies to card a 67 for a share of eighth at 10 under.

Smith was at 17-under 129 and matched the 36-hole record at Kapalua first set by Ernie Els in 2003.

The world No.21 said he had to put the opening two holes, both bogies, out of his mind.

"Few poor shots, a silly three-putt on the second," Smith said.

"I had to hit the reset button ... There's no point bashing clubs around and doing all that stuff.

"It was definitely frustrating, but kept the head on, and I knew there was plenty of birdies out there seeing everyone go low."

After his unconvincing opening, Smith found his groove with an eagle on the par-5 fifth before his round culminated in a quartet of birdies, the best of those being on the 16th.

In some strife off the tee on the par 4, Smith wedged from the rough for a six-foot birdie putt which he nailed with ease.

Of the other Australians in the field, Matt Jones (67) and Cam Davis (68) are tied for 15th at nine under.

With an even-par 73, Lucas Herbert dropped back to a share of 34th.