Martin Laird takes charge in Arnold Palmer Invitational, PGA Tour
The second day of the Arnold Palmer invitational turned out to be quite a successful one for a few and disappointing for the defending champion Ernie Els. Martin Laird from Scotland turned things in his favour and is leading the four day Championship by
one shot.
The 28-year-old from Scotland is a long hitter off the tee. He really enjoyed his outing on Friday at the Bay Hill golf course. Laird started his day with a bogey and never looked back. He carded a superb round of seven-under par, 65 and overcame the challenge
of the overnight leader.
Laird had an eagle, six birdies and a single bogey on the very first hole. He started the day tied for the fifth spot with a few other players. The Scottish then went on to make three consecutive birdies from where he really took off. His eagle came on the
par-5, 16th where his approach shot to the green landed within a few feet from the hole. He went on to make an eagle and was more than happy with his performance.
Laird has only won a single tournament playing on the PGA Tour. His only win came two years back where he won in a playoff against Chad Campbell and George McNeill.
After the round, Laird said, "I'm driving the ball really well and putting really well. Ask any pro, that's a pretty good combination to have, especially on a golf course this long where you have to drive the ball in the fairway."
Korea’s star K.J. Choi was playing like a champion and was flawless. Choi posted a fantastic round of eight-under par, 64 which was the best score of the second day. He was bogey-free on his card and had six birdies on his score card. The 40-year-old veteran
also had an eagle which came on the par-5, 16th.
Choi jumped twenty places up on the leader board. He shares the second position with the overnight leader Spencer Levin. They have a two round score of eight-under par, 136 and are just one behind the leader.
As for the first round leader Levin, he managed a steady round of two-under par, 70 on the second day. Levin had four birdies and two bogeys on his card. He still is in contention and is hoping to play in the same manner in the next two days.
Four players had a same score of six-under par after two days. Steve Marino, Charles Howell III, Hunter Mahan and Vaughn Taylor all share the fourth spot and are three shots behind the leader.
Charles Howell III improved on the second day. He carded a brilliant round of seven-under par, 65 and was more than happy with his putting. Howell moved among the top-10 on the score board.
Former World no.1 Tiger Woods is back in contention on the second day. This is his favourite course where he has won the championship twice before.
Woods carded a brilliant round of four-under par, 68. He had five birdies and just a single bogey for the day. It was his putter which favoured him throughout the day and made just 26 putts playing the second round. Tiger was more than happy as this round
was a confidence booster for him. He is expected to further improve his standings on the leader board.
It was a sorry day for some players of rankings. Players like Dustin Johnson, Vijay Singh and Irishman Graeme McDowell failed to make it through the cutline score. McDowell really had a disastrous first round and was disheartened by his performance before
the Masters.
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