– Daniel Berger (-13) hasn’t taken his foot off the gas in the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. On Thursday he was at his best with his irons and wedges (he wasn’t bad with the putter either) and today, among other things, he has been fantastic off the tee, a must at Bay Hill with greens (and surrounds) in old-school US Open style. The Floridian’s lead at the halfway point of the tournament is more than substantial, because after posting a notable 68 today he will tee off tomorrow with a five-shot advantage over his nearest challenger, Akshay Bhatia (-8), and six over an illustrious trio made up of Ludvig Aberg (-7), Collin Morikawa (-7) and Sahith Theegala (-7).
– Everything is in the hands of a Berger who might need just two par rounds over the weekend to seal the win. Even, if the greens firm up a little more and the wind picks up, an over-par total in the final 36 holes could still be enough for him…
– Let’s be honest: everyone, to a greater or lesser extent, was waiting today for the moment when Berger would wobble after his 63 in the first round. Nothing could be further from the truth: Berger carded just one bogey today, the only one he has registered in the first two rounds, a true milestone on a course that punishes any mistake severely, however small. The bogey came at the 7th hole after he missed a little over two-metre putt. Otherwise, his passage through Bay Hill has been imperial. Saturday and Sunday, of course, may be different, but Berger is not a newcomer who will crumble at the first double bogey that comes his way… (if it comes).
– Rory McIlroy (-4) has thrown his hat into the ring with a 68, always depending on what Berger is able to do. And even Scottie Scheffler (-3) could have a chance if Bay Hill really gets to the leader. However, the world Number One has not quite got going. At times he looked overly conservative, somewhat timid on his approach shots to the green. It’s true that you must be very careful, but from the Texan you always expect that majestic string of holes and shots, and so far he hasn’t been able to put it together. On the other hand, it’s also fair to say it hasn’t been his day on the greens, even after holing a superb birdie putt at the 5th. Let’s be bold with the numbers: Scheffler will have a slim chance of victory if the winning score drops from the current -13 of the leader to around -10. And not even then.
– Twenty players missed the cut. Thank goodness for the cut: it would be almost an affront if on such a demanding course, where those who are playing very well are truly separated from those who are not, everyone played all 72 holes. No sir: it’s a week to lick their wounds. The return of Justin Thomas (+14) ended in a thorough beating, the one Bay Hill handed the Kentuckian, who posted two rounds of 79. But he’s not the only notable name to miss out. Who would have thought it after enjoying his superhuman version at Torrey Pines, but Justin Rose (+6) will also not be around for the weekend. Nor Patrick Cantlay (+4) or Shane Lowry (+3). Let’s be serious: the cut, even in these smaller events, is as cruel as it is absolutely necessary.
