Charley Hoffman Takes Control at Arnold Palmer Invitational After Round 2

Emiliano Grillo had an opportunity to overtake Hoffman for first place late in the round. He wound up with another 74 and missed the cut by one shot.

Fortunately, his ball hit a tree in the backyard of the house and took an enormous ricochet back into play, leaving a relieved Day in position to salvage par.

However, the four-time Major victor hit two birdies on the front nine and then five more after the turn, including three on successive holes from the 10th, to finish in the clubhouse at six under, a climb of some 39 places. Played too much, too much grind. On the course, Club Ketel One will feature Arnold Palmer memorabilia, highlighting cherished moments throughout Mr. Palmer’s life and precious photos of the Nolet family’s friendship with “the King”.

“So, that’s something that I will always hold dear to my heart, because I was the last guy to have that congratulatory drink with him”.

“I started thinking about all the years that I’ve played in the tournament”, he explained afterward.

It can’t be easy, but a hectic regimen has helped keep Saunders’ focus primarily on his golf game. Kisner said the most important thing, though, is winning it for Palmer.

For the players in contention, they know that even without Palmer waiting behind the 18 green to congratulate them on a well-played tournament, a win on Sunday will still be incredibly special.

“Just more mental than anything, just sort of, I mean, not having any reserve, just go after it”, he said.

World number three Rory McIlroy will need a big weekend in Orlando if he is to challenge for the Arnold Palmer Invitational after an up-and-down second round 71 left him 11 shots off the lead.

“Very disappointing”, McIlroy said. Wise players adjusted their club selections in the cold, windy conditions which had a drastic impact on distance.

Ariya and Chun both shot eight-under 64 at the Desert Ridge Course in searing 32 deg C heat for a five-way tie for first with Americans Katie Burnett, Sandra Changkija and Stacy Lewis. “Last week at Tampa I was hitting a 6 iron 210”. But I don’t mind that, I think it’s quite amusing. I missed the green in the bunker.

Rickie Fowler had one heck of a morning after beginning with a double bogey at No. 3, which put him at 4 over for the week.

The 57-year-old Couples birdied five of the first seven holes and added four more on the back nine before bogeying the par-4 18th.

“I scrambled really well”, he said.