Written By: Radha Seth

Corey Conners is on his way to grabbing a second career PGA tour Victory. This time he is trying to get the ball rolling by surging his rank on the ‘Arnold Palmer Invitational 2021’ leaderboard. He has straight away leapfrogged his contender Rory Mcllroy by hitting million-dollar swings on the greens of Bay Hill Club, Florida.

Conners spent his major time grinding out pars than striving for birdies, and that proved to be a perfect recipe for a Fresh Friday at the tournament. As the clouds faded away and the sprawling greens began to bake under the sultry Sun, he marked the greens with his formidable swings.

Corey Conners at Bay Hill Club, Florida

After shooting a second round-69, he is planning to make a wire-to-wire victory thereby, sticking to a high rank on the leaderboard of this tournament. In the 2nd round at Palmer Invitational, the 29-year-old Canadian golfer stands at nine-under-par. He holds the solo lead for the first position after breaking a tying record with Rory Mcllroy.

He barged into the lead by hitting a marvelous 25-foot eagle putt on the par-5 16th hole. This was his 2nd eagle on that hole in two days for a 3-under 69 and a one-shot advantage in comparison to former Bay Hill winner, Martin Laird (67).

Rory Mcllroy teeing off at the Palmer Invitational

Mcllroy was to join Conners in the afternoon until he had hit a few lose drives, which lead to a number of bogeys. He capped off with five straight pars for a 71, which he thought; could have been worse.

“It could have been the round that I could have shot 74 or 75. I got in with 71 and pretty happy with that," McIlroy said. (Source: CBS Sports)

Coming onto other contenders in lead, Viktor Hovland entered into the weekend with his bitter-sweet shots by missing out on an ace at hole no. 14. Hovland buckled up for a birdie on No. 14 after sticking his drive five feet from the cup. It came after a bogey on No. 13 made it all the more necessary, but if it seemed like he was hitting ballistic shots, that was only because of his exceptional putting style. 

Similarly, Texan golfer, Jordan Spieth continued his bounce-back season. He capped off his eighth round under 70 since the beginning of February, finishing up with three birdies on the back nine to keep him within striking distance of the lead. 

Day 1: Rory Mcllroy leads at 'Arnold Palmer Invitational 2021'