|
 Hoffmann followed his opening 66 with a sizzling seven-under-par 65
for a 13-under-par total of 131 at Bay Hill.
"It's been fun out there. Just kind of being pretty mellow and
trying to hit the middle of greens," said Hoffmann, a former junior
ice hockey player and Oklahoma State University golfer ranked 137th
in the world.
Every had five birdies in a row from the fourth hole on his way to a
66 that vaulted him into second place at 134, a total matched by
afternoon starters Harris English (66) and Sweden's Henrik Stenson,
who birdied his last four holes for another 66.
One shot further back was Ben Martin, who shot a 67 for 135.
World number one McIlroy also had a streak of five birdies in his 66
that moved him to eight under par for the tournament alongside
Sweden's David Lingmerth (67), Australia's Matt Jones (65) and South
Korean Danny Lee, who fired a bogey-free 64.
McIlroy, who next month would complete a career grand slam with a
Masters win, started the day at the 10th and began his birdie blitz
at the second hole. A bogey on his penultimate hole dropped him to
136.
"I probably wasn't quite as consistent tee to green as I was
yesterday," said McIlroy, who shot an opening 70. "But the putter is
a great equalizer.
"Was good to see some putts dropping, considering yesterday nothing
really dropped for me," added the Northern Irishman, who took 34
putts in the first round.
[to top of second column] |
Hoffmann had his own birdie binge, sinking four in a row from the
third after a bogey on the first and registered a blistering
five-under 31 on the front nine.The 25-year-old Hoffmann finished with three birdies and a bogey on
the homeward half.
"I feel great," said Hoffmann, adding that he did not feel pressured
as he seeks his first PGA Tour title.
"I'm trying not to think about it. I know it will come eventually.
If this is the week, so be it."
(Reporting by Larry Fine in New York; Editing by Gene Cherry)
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