Charles Howell III and Stephen Ames caught a bit of fire on Friday as the rains went away and the sun came out at the Bay Hill Invitational. Among the 30 players able to complete their second rounds, they sat atop the leaderboard after 1½ rounds (or so) of play. Each fired rounds of 71, 68 and sit comfortably at -5.
Vijay Singh, a man on a mission (to regain the #1 spot in the world), struggled once again with his putting after hitting the ball beautifully. “I just didn’t make any putts all day,” said Singh. He didn’t have to putt on the eighth hole, though, sinking a 152-yard 9-iron for an eagle and rounds of 72, 68 to sit at -4.
With only 30 players completing two rounds, it’s unlikely that five-under will lead after 36 holes. The triplet of Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, and Retief Goosen didn’t even get to tee it up on Saturday, and will try to play 36 holes on Saturday.
Joe Ogilvie, the first-round leader, played three holes on Saturday and birdied the last to get to -5, where he’ll begin his Saturday marathon. Contrast that with Charles Howell III, who hit not a single shot on Thursday and played 36 on Friday. Said Howell, “I felt like I was in college again. I made the turn, they handed me a sandwich, and told me to keep going.”
David Duval finished his two rounds with an 85 and a 79, leaving him – once again – in dead last. Mark Hensby disqualified himself when, at +9, he hooked his tee shot out of bounds and marked “X” on his card for the hole.
The headline threesome – Woods, Els, and Goosen – played 11 holes Friday morning to finish their first rounds, then headed to their respective (and nearby) home clubs: Woods at Islesworth, Els and Goosen at Lake Nona.
We’d post a leaderboard, but seeing as how it’s going to change any minute as players finish their second round, well, it just ain’t worth it. 😀
Photo Credit: © AP.