By Rahul Banerji
Even as the Asian challenge diversifies on the PGA Tour, Anirban Lahiri was one of a handful from the continent to run out of steam at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Lahiri, mid-pack after a level par round on day one saw his hopes of making the weekend go up in smoke with a 6-over par second round that left him on the sidelines.
Joining him were C.T. Pan (74), Sung Kang (77), and K.H. Lee (78), while Si Woo Kim withdrew following Thursday’s opening round at Bay Hill.
On the cricket field meanwhile, India’s Test team wrapped up a 3-1 series win over England – the final two matches finishing in a combined total of five days – to seal a World Championship finale against New Zealand later this summer.
Lahiri’s hopes of making the cut, at 2-over 146 – fell apart on his back nine that had two double-bogeys and a bogey after dropping two shots on his way out.
No consolation
A lone birdie on the par-5 fourth hole was little consolation for the struggling Bangalorean, the lone Indian in the field.
Meanwhile, for the third consecutive year, Korea’s Sungjae Im entered the weekend rounds inside the top 10, the PGA Tour said.
Im has had two top-three finishes in his first two appearances at Bay Hill Club & Lodge and hopes to be third-time lucky this year.
The world 17th ranked Im posted a 2-under 70 on Friday for a 5-under 139 and a tie for seventh.
He trailed leader Corey Conners by four, while Martin Laird sits in solo second on 8-under.
Viktor Hovland, overnight joint leader Rory McIlroy and Lanto Griffin are a further stroke back in share of third place.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond fired the day’s low score with a superb 65, a 10-shot swing from his opening round.
Cashing in
Jazz, a former Asian no. 1 took advantage of his local course knowledge as he is a Bay Hill member.
He also stayed with two-time PGA Tour winner, Daniel Chopra for nearly four months during the pandemic last year and played much of his golf at the Palmer Invitational venue in that time.
He enters the third round in tied 11th place, five off the lead.
Jazz was delighted to claw his way back into contention in the morning wave.
“Yesterday, none of the putts dropped but I guess I kept it all for today,” the Thai star said later.
“Everything I seemed to do was better, like I hit my irons a little better and putt a little better which added to a good round.
“Last year, I was here for like three to four months. I’m a member here which helps as it’s like home course advantage.
“I’ve played on this course more than any other place in my life. Usually when I’m home I don’t really play that much.
‘Nowhere to go’
“After the Players Championship got cancelled, I literally didn’t have anywhere to go because Thailand was shut.
“I was in Jacksonville and I called Daniel and said ‘hey can I stay here for a few days’ and I ended up staying with his family for three to four months. He caddied for me a couple of times on Tour too.”
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama shot a second round 70 to make the halfway cut by one stroke as 73 professionals from a field of 122 progressed into the weekend.
In encouraging news for his fans, Jordan Spieth entered the weekend T8 or better for the fourth time in his last four starts.
And back to the cricket to celebrate the big moment for Virat Kohli’s squad and their achievement.
Also read: Thailand’s Jazz finds a home away from home with the Chopras
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