The Arnold Palmer Invitational looks set for an intriguing weekend finish with six players sharing a tie of the lead at -7 and a further ten within just three shots after Friday’s play.
Wyndham Clark and Scottie Scheffler catapulted themselves into contention after stellar second rounds, while Shane Lowry and recent Genesis Invitational winner, Hideki Matsuyama, consolidated great opening rounds to key their names at the top of the leaderboard.Â
However, it wasn’t all easygoing for some of the biggest names at Bay Hill. Known for its tight fairways, punishing rough and fast greens, the Dick Wilson-designed course can present a punishing experience for those players who haven’t got their A game with them.
As one of the PGA Tour’s Signature Events that does feature a cut, the end of round two saw 11 players miss the mark and head home. Included in that were some rather notable players who many fancied heading into the week.Â
Here’s a look at the six biggest names who won’t be around this weekend at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Tommy Fleetwood (+9)
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Fleetwood endured a round to forget on Friday, tumbling down the leaderboard after an eight-over par 80 which featured seven bogeys and a disastrous 10 on the par-five 5th.Â
Just two players – Adam Svensson and David Ford – finished the first two days worse off than the Englishman, who has already tasted victory earlier in the season at the Dubai Invitational.
Collin Morikawa (+6)
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Two-time Major champion Morikawa was fancied by many heading into the week given his ball-striking capabilities and big-tournament experience.Â
The American started brightly with a two-under-par 70 on Thursday, but slid down the leaderboard on Friday after a nightmare eight-over 80. Starting five over through his first four holes, Morikawa found four more bogeys and just one birdie for the remainder of the round to miss the cut by three shots.
Kurt Kitayama (+7)
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Coming into the week as the defending champion, Kitayama, who has not missed a cut all season, would have hope for a better defence of his title that he won superbly last year.
However, it was not to be for the World No. 37, who started the tournament with a first-round 78 which, at one point, featured five bogeys and one double bogey in six consecutive holes.Â
A battling display from the American on Friday saw him card a one-over 73, but the defending champ was still some way back of the cut line…
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