LAST UPDATE | 8 Mar
SHANE LOWRY IS in a six-way tie for the lead after the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
Lowry, the first round leader after a blistering back nine paved the way for his 66, was one-under today with a 71. A birdie on the 18th nudged Lowry back into the lead, a short putt after a brilliant second shot, and that was a timely boost after he had dropped shots on the 15th and 17th.
That left him seven-under for the tournament and the clubhouse leader, but by the close of play he was joined by some star names. Four Major winners from the last three years (Hideki Matsuyama, Brian Harman, Wyndham Clark and Scottie Scheffler) all reached the seven-under mark, as did Russell Henley.
Harman was eight-under on the 18th and solo leader, but dropped a shot there to fall back to the pack. The biggest closing charges came from Scheffler, who finished five-under for his round, and Clark, who went one better with a six-under 66.
Clark birdied five of his last six holes, including shots picked up on the 16th, 17th and 18th, as he soared up the leaderboard. Scheffler’s back nine was also impressive, an eagle on 12, followed by birdies on 15, 16 and 17.
Rory McIlroy fired a two-under 69 and is in a tie for 26th on one-under, six shots off the lead. Seamus Power had a disappointing two-over 73 today to stand at two-over for the tournament, but at the moment is in line to make the cut.
Lowry reached the eight-under mark twice during his round to put daylight between him and the rest of the field. He recorded three birdies in four holes between the 3rd and 6th, while later his birdie at the 13th, put him at that figure.
McIlroy’s round saw him have six birdies and four bogeys. He was one-under for his front nine, dropped shots at his next two holes, but rebounded strongly with birdies at the 12th, 13th and 16th holes.
Meanwhile, Tom McKibbin is tied for third after his second round at the Jonsson Workwear Open in South Africa.
The Belfast native followed up yesterday’s 67, with a 64, leaving him two shots off the leader, Italy’s Matteo Manassero, who finished the day on 15 under par.
McKibbin also trails South Africa’s Oliver Bekker by one shot, while he shares third with Spanish duo Angel Hidalgo and Ivan Cantero.
Elsewhere, Stephanie Meadow is tied for sixth at the Blue Bay LPGA in China.
The Antrim native finished the day three shots off the lead, which is held by Narin An of South Korea and USA’s Sarah Schmelzel, who are both on nine-under-par.
Meadow produced a 68 to put herself in contention having shot a 70 in her opening round.
You can view the leaderboard for the Jonsson Workwear Open here and the Blue Bay LPGA here.
