RUSSELL KNOX REPEATS OPENING ROUND OF 71 AT BAY HILL

 ADAM SCOTT GOES SEVEN CLEAR 

IN ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL

Adam Scott bogeyed the last hole but still leads by seven strokes before the end of the second day's play in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill
Country Club, Florida.
Scott tagged on a four-under 68 to his 10-under 62 on the opening day to sit well clear of the field on 14-under-par 130 at the halfway point.
The Australian birdied the long sixth, bogeyed the short sixth but birdied the ninth to reach the turn in one-under 35.
Scott got on a roll in the inward half with birdies at the 11th, long 12th, 15th and long 16th, spoiling it only slightly with that bogey at the 18th for 33 home and a 68.
At the time of writing, 10.10pm UK time, Scott's nearest challengers were a trio on 137 - Americans J B Holmes (68-69) and Chesson Hadley (69-68) and Italian Francesco Molinari (67-70).
Leading British player was Welshman Jamie Donaldson with 67-71 for 138.
Ian Poulter had a 71 for 139.
Russell Knox duplicated his first-round 71 for 142 and a T30 placing. He birdied the first, long sixth, ninth and long 16th in halves of 34 and 37. He bogeyed the eighth, 10th and short 16th in halves of 34-37.
Martin Laird had a 72 for 143 and a share of 41st place. Laird birdied the long fourth, 10th and long 16th but bogeyed the fifth, short 14th and 15th in halves of 36-36.
One of the biggest reversals of fortunes was that of Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez Castano. He followed up a first-day 66 with a 77. His only birdie came at the long sixth. He was six over par for the remaining holes with a bogey at the eight on his way to a 36 out. Then came bogeys at the 11th, long 12th, 15th and, disaster at this level, a double bogey 6 at the 18th for 41 blows to come home.
Graeme McDowell also had a 77 to drop out of the hunt. Following up a first-round 68, the Ulsterman did not have a single birdie in halves of 39 and 38.
His worst slip was a double bogey 6 at the eighth.
On a difficult day for scoring there were some big-name casualties who missed the cut at 146 and better.
Paul Casey made it right on the limit mark with scores of 67-79.
Justin Rose (71-79) and Lee Westwood (75-76) missed out on 150 and 151 respectively.
US amateur champion Matthew Fitzpatrick from England was another who will be missed the weekend action after soaring from 71 to 81 for 152.
Darren Clarke did not make it on 153 (75-78).

SECOND ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 144 (2x72). Players from USA unless stated
130 Adam Scott (Australia) 62 68
137 J B Holmes 68 69, Chesson Hadley 69 68, Francesco Molinari (Italy) 67 70
138 Keegan Bradley 71 67, Jamie Donaldson (Wales) 67 71, Jason Kokrak 67 71, Brandt Snedeker 67 71
139 Freddie Jacobson (Sweden) 71 68, Matt Every 69 70, Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) 65 74, Ian Poulter (England) 68 71, John Merrick 65 74, Charles Howell 68 71.
SELECTED TOTALS
140 Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 70 70, Harris English 69 71 (T16)
142 Russell Knox (Scotland) 71 71, Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 69 73, Patrick Reed 69 73  (T29)
143 Martin Laird (Scotland) 71 72, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spain) 66 77 (T39)
144 Brian Davis (England) 70 74 (T46)
145 Graeme McDowell (N Ireland) 68 77, Greg Owen (England) 76 69 (T57)
146 Paul Casey (England) 67 79

MISSED THE CUT (146 and better qualified)
147 David Lynn (England) 72 75
149 Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) 74 75
150 Justin Rose (England) 71 79
151 Lee Westwood (England) 75 76
152 Matthew Fitzpatrick (England) (am) 71 81
153 Darren Clarke (N Ireland) 75 78
 

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