The cut line for the Arnold Palmer Invitational is four-over. Here are some notable players who won’t be playing over the weekend:
In the $1M Sand Trap tournament, there were 18 golfers rostered on at least 10% of teams. Three of them missed the cut.
Harris English ($6,600; 17 FPTS) was rostered on 14.21% of teams. His tournament got off to a rough start with a four-over 76 on Thursday. On Friday, he notched a bogey on the front nine then racked up two bogeys in two of the first three holes on the back nine, before draining a birdie on Hole 16. It was too little, too late, though, as he finished the day two-over and missed the cut by two strokes.
Sahith Theegala ($7,400; 19.5 FPTS) was rostered on 12.41% of teams. If you thought English’s first round was bad, get a look at what Theegala did. Four bogeys on the front nine and another four bogeys on the back nine. He did birdie two of the last three holes, though. He finished the first round with a six-over 78. On Friday, things were better as he notched two birdies with a bogey on the front nine, with a birdie and two bogeys on the back nine for an even-par 72. However, the damage was done on Thursday and Theegala missed the cut by two strokes.
Akshay Bhatia ($7,800; 25 FPTS) was rostered on 13.16% of teams. If you thought Theegala’s first round was bad, Bhatia said hold my beer. He had two double-bogeys and three bogeys with only two birdies on the front nine. The back nine was “uneventful,” with a birdie and two bogeys. He finished Thursday seven-over-par. On Friday, a replication of Thursday’s debacle looked to be in order, as Bhatia had a double-bogey on the second hole, but he bounced back with three birdies before ending the front nine with a bogey and a birdie. On the back nine, Bhatia had a double-bogey, a bogey and a birdie, finishing the day with a one-over 73. He missed the cut by four strokes.
Let’s turns those frowns upside down and talk about the current leader heading into the weekend.
Shane Lowry ($8,200; 75 FPTS) is rostered on 17.18% of teams, the fifth-most. Lowry’s tournament began in quiet fashion, as he had one birdie on the front nine. The back nine had a little more action with two bogeys bookmarked around two birdies and an eagle. Lowry finished the round with a three-under 69. On Friday, he racked up three birdies on the front nine, then had another three birdies on the back nine. It would have been an unblemished round except for the bogey on Hole 16. Lowry finished the day five-under and sits atop the leaderboard by two strokes.
DK Sportsbook has Lowry at +280 to win it all, the lowest odds in the field.
