ORLANDO – Viktor Hovland holds a two-stroke lead, his third career 36-hole lead/co-lead in an individual stroke-play event on the PGA Tour. He is 1-for-2 to date converting the 36-hole lead to a win.
First-round leader Rory McIlroy fell to T-2 following even-par (72) effort in R-2.
Three of the four past Arnold Palmer Invitational champions in the field are T-6 or better, including Tyrrell Hatton (T-2/2020), Rory McIlroy (T-2/2018), Martin Laird (T-6/2011), and Marc Leishman (T-20/2017)
World No. 1 Jinx? Jon Rahm (T-13/-2) trails by seven at midway point. The last World No. 1 to win the event was Tiger Woods (2009) and the last World No. 1 to win on the PGA Tour was Dustin Johnson (2020 Masters Tournament).
Yesterday’s 3-over cutline marks the highest 36-hole cut this season.
Leaderboard After 36 Holes at API:
Viktor Hovland 69-66—135 (-9)
Tyrrell Hatton 69-68—137 (-7)
Talor Gooch 69-68—137 (-7)
Rory McIlroy 65-72—137 (-7)
Billy Horschel 67-71—138 (-6)
Full Leaderboard: (link)