Ideal weather conditions yet again, making scoring optimal for round 2 of the 2015 Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Following an impressive play by Hoffmann in round 1 at Bay Hill, it didn’t seem like the play could get much better.
But, it did.
Hoffmann delivered another spectacular performance and kept himself in the lead, getting to 13-under par, firing a 65 Friday, one better from round 1 (66). He distanced himself from 2014 champion Matt Every by three him to have a promising start heading into the weekend.
Hoffmann hit impressive shots all day.
On No. 9, he tucked his approach to 5 feet for birdie. On 12, he nearly holed out his bunker shot for eagle and tapped in for birdie. He followed hitting a 143-yard approach on No. 13 to 6 feet then made his putt for birdie on the par-4 .
Again on the par-5 16th hole, Hoffmann hit a 42-foot chip shot to 2 feet, then tapped it in for birdie.
Reflecting on his second round, Hoffmann said:
“It’s been fun out there.” Hoffman staid “Just being pretty mellow and trying to hit the middle of the greens.”
It’s easy to see that Hoffman’s mental game is on point. He isn’t letting his grandmother’s passing or the excitement of being in the lead get to him during this tournament.
“I’m trying not to think about it.” [winning] Hoffman said. “I know it will come eventually, so if this is the week, so be it.”