The big Bay Hills news on Friday is that the big names haven’t looked ready to play this week.
Brooks Koepka is going home early after rounds of 74-73. He didn’t come close to making the cut, which came at one-over par on Friday afternoon.
Phil Mickelson, who was in the thick of it on Thursday, looked helpless on day two, crumbling with a 78 that sent him down the road.
Rickie Fowler barely made it. He’s one-over, made the cut on the number after shooting 74-71.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy won’t repeat come Sunday. He’s at two-under par, a full seven shots behind co-leaders Tommy Fleetwood and Keegan Bradley.
World’s No. 2, Justin Rose, is the closest big name to the lead. He’s three-under par after rounds of 71-70.
Fleetwood got out early and shot the day’s best round — a six-under par 66. He’s been a force in Europe but is still looking for his first victory on the PGA Tour.
Bradley came through in the afternoon and added a 68 to his opening 67. He’s turned things around with the left-arm-anchored putter that has revived his game.
“There are a lot of quality holes out there that require good iron shots and that’s the strength of my game,” Bradley pointed out after his work was done on Friday afternoon. “I hit it good and putted even better. I felt very calm today and I’m never calm.”
