Hoffman Continues to Roll at Arnold Palmer Invitational


Morgan Hoffman followed up his opening 6-under 66 with a 65 to take a three-stroke lead at the halfway point of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The $6.3 million PGA Tour event started Thursday at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando.

After a bogey on the par-4 first hole, the 26-year-old Hoffman reeled off six birdies on the front nine to make the turn in 5-under 31. He tacked on three more birdies, and a bogey, for a 34 on the home half.

Hoffman, who was born in New Jersey but grew up in Florida, has a lot of familiarity with Bay Hill, having played it a lot as a junior. "We always had matches against each other and played a lot of aggressive shots," he told PGATour.com of his younger days at Bay Hill.

"So, I'm pretty comfortable hitting a bunch of shots into the greens and going at kind of tucked pins because I kind of seen it before."

Hoffman, a three-year Tour pro, is in great position for the first victory of his budding career. "I'm behind my schedule," the Oklahoma State grad and former U.S. Walker Cup team member added. "I would have liked to have won a few times by now.

"It's frustrating but . . . the best guys in the world are playing on the PGA Tour and I mean I'm so lucky to be out here and grateful but I've seen myself a little higher up than what I've performed."

Trailing by three is defending champion Matt Every, who's put together rounds of 68 and 66. Also at 10-under 134 are Sweden's Henrik Stenson and Harris English, who each shot 66s.

Ben Martin is in fifth at 135 following a 67, while another stroke back are New Zealand's Danny Lee, who posted the low round of the day, an 8-under 64, Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy (66), Australia's Matt Jones and Sweden's David Lingmerth (67).

No. 1-ranked McIlroy opened with a 70 that included three birdies and a bogey. Starting play on the 10th tee Friday, the 25-year-old had two birdies for a 34 in his first nine holes. After a par on the first, McIlroy went on a five-birdie roll before finishing with two pars and a bogey for a 32.

McIlroy said he was charged up after having dinner Thursday night with tournament host Palmer, calling the evening "fantastic."

"It was just great to be in his presence, and great to be in his company," noted McIlroy.

Among the players at 137 are South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen, Ian Poulter, Sean O'Hair, Brooks Koepka and Kevin Na.

The 36-hole cut was set at 143. Among those heading home are major champions Graeme McDowell, Stewart Cink, Retief Goosen, Ben Curtis, Angel Cabrera, Lucas Glover and Trevor Immelman.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/arnold-palmer-invitational-presented-by-mastercard/leaderboard.html.