LA QUINTA — Charley Hoffman knows his time on the PGA Tour is running short. He can feel every one of his 48 years whenever his troublesome back acts up, and he knows the recent reduction in tour cards will end most players’ careers well before they reach his age.

Hoffman isn’t done swinging just yet, however.

Back home in Southern California, he battled his way into a share of the lead Friday at The American Express, a tournament he won 18 years ago — and he’s determined to keep fighting until his time runs out.

“When I’m healthy, the weather’s warm, I feel like I can beat anybody in the world,” Hoffman said with a smile. “When it’s cold and my back’s not feeling good, I don’t think I can beat anybody in the world.”

Hoffman and Rico Hoey both shot 9-under 63 on the Nicklaus Tournament Course to share the lead after two rounds in the Coachella Valley desert.

Hoffman and Hoey were at 16-under 128 midway through this three-course tournament, although both Southern California natives have yet to play PGA West’s tougher Pete Day Stadium Course. They were a shot ahead of Justin Lower, Mark Hubbard and Sepp Straka. Jason Day and J.J. Spaun were 14 under.

Hoffman is seeking his fifth victory while playing in the 517th event of his tour career. He hasn’t won since 2016, but he is feeling good after years of back trouble, most notably two fragmented disks three years ago.

He charged back into contention Friday with an eventful round featuring two bogeys and two eagles, and he is grateful to be healthy enough to play with the aggression necessary to contend with the younger long-hitters in this event.

“I’ve got a great chiropractor at home, I’ve got a good golf coach (and a) good team I built,” Hoffman said. “I probably spend more time in the gym staying healthy and recovering than I do work at golf.”

Hoey, who grew up 80 miles away in Rancho Cucamonga and starred at USC, is chasing his first victory in his second full year on the PGA Tour.

Rickie Fowler charged into contention with 10 birdies and a second-round 62 on the Nicklaus, moving him even with Justin Thomas and Sony Open champion Nick Taylor at 13-under 131. Patrick Cantlay, Will Zalatoris and Doug Ghim were 12 under.

First-round leader J.T. Poston plummeted down the leaderboard with a 4-over 76 on the Stadium Course.