ORLANDO, Fla. – The top of the leaderboard is stacked at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but so, too, is the bottom. Several big names were sent packing.
The field of 69 players was trimmed to 58 who shot 3-over 147 or better. The API is one of three signature events — along with the Genesis Invitational and the Memorial — with a 36-hole cut this season. Low 50 players (and ties) and any additional players within 10 strokes of the 36-hole lead. With six tied at 7-under 137, that meant five players at T-53 snuck into the weekend, and 11 players in the field were sent packing. Rory McIlroy was asked what he thought about having a cut at the signature events.
“I was indifferent,” he said. “I think, when all these signature events were thought of, we were thinking no cut, but if it’s important enough, or if it’s that important to Tiger and Jack and if Arnold were alive, if it was important enough for him, then it’s their tournament, at the end of the day, and they can do whatever they want. I could have went either way, but if it’s important enough to those guys, then we’ll have a cut.”
No doubt Rickie Fowler had an idea as he played 18 that he could use one more birdie if he wanted to have a weekend tee. He stuck his approach to 7 feet and rolled in the birdie putt to play the weekend. Adam Schenk dunked his second shot at 18 and made a double bogey to miss the cut by one. Long live the 36-hole cut!
Here’s a look at the 11 players who were trunk-slamming on Friday at Arnie’s Place.