Not sure anyone had Corey Connors and Martin Laird as one-two after 36 holes at the Arnold Palmer Invitational but that’s how it shook out after Friday’s second round at Bay Hill.
Connors got out early and played well enough to shoot a three-under par 69 on a day when the course proved more difficult than Thursday’s opening round. Connors is in at nine-under par, a shot clear of Martin Laird, who had the best effort of the top 10 players — a five-under par 67. He’s by himself at eight-under par.
“I haven’t really been in this position a lot, but I have a lot of confidence in my game and feeling really relaxed the last few days, so try and keep that going,” Conners said. “I feel like I have a lot of energy. I had an off week last week and really excited for the weekend.”
First round co-leader Rory McIlroy had an up-and-down sort of day but played well enough to get in red numbers and his 71 left him in a trio at seven-under par with rising star Viktor Hovland (69-68) and Lanto Griffin (69-68).
“It’s a golf course where you don’t need to do that (shoot 64). With the weather coming in, double digits under par will have a chance.
McIlroy was referring to the impending bad weather coming in off Florida’s west coast Saturday morning and it’s expected to dump rain on the Orlando area as well.
Here’s how the other contenders are lined up behind Connors:
Six-Under Par 138:
Bryson DeChambeau (67-71): The answer to the day’s biggest question is no. Bryson did not try to drive the green at the par five sixth hole. Fact is Bryson struggled Friday on the holes he’s not supposed to struggle on — the par fives. He birdied only one of the four and three front-nine bogeys left him in need of a good finishing nine. He got it and managed to finish under par for the round.
Five-Under Par 139:
Jordan Spieth (70-69): Jordy keeps showing up and here he is, once again in contention heading into the weekend.
Sungjae Im (69-70): Consistency works in your favor at Bay Hill and Sungjae is very consistent.
Justin Rose (71-68): After struggling through swing and equipment changes, Rose looks to be finding his form again.
Paul Casey (70-69): Ball-striking pays off at Bay Hill and here’s Mr. Ball Striker.
