Share

Hoffman shoots 66 to seize lead at Palmer event

Miami - Charley Hoffman fired a six-under-par 66 on Friday to seize a one-shot lead after the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill while Rory McIlroy continued to struggle.

The 40-year-old American opened with a bogey but recovered with seven pars to stand on 10-under 134 after 36 holes at the famed Orlando course where Palmer, the golfing legend who died last September, hosted the US PGA event for many years.

"If you get in the fairway you can sort of attack," Hoffman said. "The greens are surprisingly receptive. You can shoot at some of those pins that in the past you haven't and I was able to take advantage of it. A pretty solid round. I'm pretty happy. I hope I can keep it going the next few days."

Hoffman finished one stroke ahead of Argentina's Emiliano Grillo - who had two eagles, two birdies and two bogeys in a round of 68 - and two in front of Britain's Matthew Fitzpatrick, who had shared the 18-hole lead with Grillo.

Northern Ireland's McIlroy, preparing for his bid at a career Grand Slam in three weeks at the Masters, fired a 71 Friday to stand 11 adrift on 145.

McIlroy, a four-time major champion, opened on the back nine with back-to-back bogeys, sending his first tee shot way left and his second into a fairway bunker.

The world number three birdied the par-5 12th, sank a 30-foot eagle putt at the par-5 16th, then sent his tee shot at the par-3 16th into the water on the way to a double bogey.

McIlroy, 27, completed the roller-coaster opening nine with a nine-foot birdie putt at 18 before closing with eight pars and a birdie at the par-5 fourth.

World number two Jason Day of Australia was in a pack on 141 shooting 71 Friday, a nine-foot eagle putt at 16 his highlight.

Hoffman, at Bay Hill for the first time since 2013, seeks his fifth US PGA crown and his first since last April's Texas Open.

After his first-hole stumble when he was short of the green on his approach, Hoffman sank a 37-foot birdie putt at the fifth and birdied the par-5 sixth and par-4 ninth. He birdied the 11th, dropped a 32-foot birdie putt at 13, added another birdie at 16 and birdied 18 for the second day in a row, hitting a 10-foot putt to end his round.

"It's playing good and you can make some putts," Hoffman said. "But I expect it's going to firm up this weekend."

Hoffman also paid tribute to Palmer, whose memory lingers this week after decades as the US face of golf, making the sport popular on television and becoming a sports marketing pioneer in the process.

"He was what we all wanted to be, a favorite of the fans," Hoffman said. "He paved the way for all of us."

Grillo, who started on the back nine, holed out from 35 yards on a bunker shot to eagle the par-5 12th and four holes later sank a 25-foot shot from off the green for another eagle.

Fitzpatrick, a 22-year-old Englishman, sank a 25-foot birdie putt at the 10th and closed with back-to-back birdies to stay on Hoffman's heels.

"It was a good day," Fitzpatrick said. "I didn't feel quite as in control of the golf ball as I did yesterday but I made a couple of good putts coming in and made a good score."

Leading scores after Friday's second round of the US PGA Arnold Palmer Invitational at par-72 Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida (USA unless noted):

134 - Charley Hoffman 68-66

135 - Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 67-68

136 - Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 67-69

137 - Lucas Glover 68-69, Kevin Kisner 70-67, Marc Leishman (AUS) 71-66

138 - Francesco Molinari (ITA) 70-68

139 - Wang Jeung-Hun (KOR) 71-68, Tony Finau 72-67

140 - Adam Hadwin (CAN) 70-70, Paul Casey (ENG) 68-72, Harold Varner 70-70

141 - Greg Chalmers (AUS) 69-72, Jamie Lovemark 72-69, Kyle Stanley 73-68, Justin Rose (ENG) 71-70, Jason Day (AUS) 70-71, Ryan Moore 72-69, Tyrell Hatton (ENG) 72-69

142 - Brian Harman 72-70, Keegan Bradley 71-71, Luke List 71-71, Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 73-69, Vaughn Taylor 71-71, Kim Si-Woo (KOR) 71-71

143 - David Hearn (CAN) 70-73, Ollie Schniederjans 73-70, Louis Oostheuizen (RSA) 70-73, Cameron Smith (AUS) 74-69, Russell Henley 72-71, Graeme McDowell (NIR) 72-71, Brandt Snedeker 72-71, Matt Every 73-70, Ryan Ruffels (AUS) 69-74, JJ Spaun 70-73, Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 72-71, Michael Kim 72-71

DQ - Curtis Luck (AUS) 79-82

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1471 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE