Arnold Palmer Invitational Weekend Preview: McIlroy still the man to beat as Hovland hits the front at Bay Hill
Brian Keogh
5 March 2022
McIlroy in the hunt
Rory McIlroy is bracing himself for tough conditions today after admitting he was caught out by the “glassy” greens in the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
The 2018 champion is now only second favourite, at 4.6, behind Norway’s Viktor Hovland, who can move to world number two if he claims his sixth worldwide win.
Hovland took advantage of easier morning conditions in Friday’s second round and carded a best of the day, six-under 66 to take a two-stroke lead on nine-under par.
He is now 2.98 to go on and win on the PGA TOUR for the fourth time and having zipped past a faltering McIlroy coming down the stretch in January’s Dubai Desert Classic, his favouritism is justified given his form this year.
He had just 23 putts in the second and round and while McIlroy suggested it will be a different story when he has to face faster, crustier surfaces this afternoon, he’s certainly putting with confidence.
Rory McIlroy admits his ball striking could have been better in Florida.
Hatton and Gooch in contention
Just three of the 18 sub-par scores recorded on Friday came from the afternoon wave which may be a good indicator of players to watch out for in today’s third round.
At 9, the 2020 champion Tyrrell Hatton remains one of the favourites but he admits his ball striking has been a problem and his putter has kept him alive so far.
While we’d expect McIlroy or Hovland to remain at the head of the affairs until the back nine on Sunday, Talor Gooch’s 68 in the tougher afternoon conditions on Friday points to him as man to watch.
At 10, he is well backed but the 30-year-old from Oklahoma is drawn with McIlroy today, which may give him an opportunity to ride the Northern Irishman’s slipstream.
“I don't think it's maybe quite as devilish as the weekend the last couple years because the fairways are sort of soft,” McIlroy said of the conditions. “But the greens got - those are the sort of greens you expect to see late on a Sunday, not late on a Friday.
“It's going to be interesting to see where they go from here, but it's going to be a good test over the weekend. I'm glad I got 18 holes in those conditions because the course definitely changed a lot from when I played it yesterday morning to this afternoon. I’ll be a little more prepared for it tomorrow.”
Outsiders eyeing late moves
Cameron Young at 70 looks an interesting choice for players still ranked in the top 10 but there’s far better value in Russell Henley (tied second for driving accuracy so far) at 120 with Matthew Fitzpatrick at 240 a great long shot if he can get the putter going.
As McIlroy said of the greens, “they’ll be glassy and firm and you just have to land it on your spots with the right spin and the right trajectory. It puts even more of a premium on hitting the ball in the fairway so that you can put some spin on the ball to control it into these greens.”
Recommended bets
Brian Keogh
5 March 2022
