Anirban Lahiri made an early exit from the Honda Classic as he struggled to a six-over 76 in windy conditions on the second day of the event, here. Lahiri, who had an even par 70 on first day, did not find the momentum from almost the start, as he teed off from the 10th hole.
Also missing the cut was Rory McIlroy while defending champion and three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington, who will be seen in action in India next month, recovered from a bogey-double start to find five birdies in the next seven holes as he roared to two-under 70. He made the cut at Tied-28th.
At the top Rickie Fowler kept bogeys off his card for the second straight round Friday for a 4-under 66 and took the early lead ahead of Jimmy Walker (67-66) and Sergio Garcia (65-69).
Lahiri, the two-time winner of Malaysian Open and Hero Indian Open, who is playing his Rookie year on the PGA Tour had two doubles in his first four holes and never recovered from there. He opened with a double on 10th as he went into trouble off the tee and then despite a birdie on par-3 12th, he again had a double as he took a penalty drop following an errant tee shot. He turned in three-over and at that stage he was on the cut line.
A bogey on second was followed by a birdie on third and there was still hope. But then on par-3 fifth, he twice went into water and ended with a triple, and that virtually dashed all hopes of playing the weekend. A bogey on seventh followed and then there was a consolation birdie on eighth, by which time it was all over.
Fowler leads
Fowler’s second round was identical to his opening round — no bogeys, another 66 in windy conditions and a big par save on his 10th hole. Having started on the back nine, Fowler worked himself out of his toughest spot well right of the fairway and managed to get up-and-down for par to keep some momentum.
Otherwise, this was a clean day. His longest par putt was 12 feet on the fourth hole after driving into the bunker, and he ended his round with a 25-foot birdie putt on the ninth hole to reach 8-under 132.
Jimmy Walker finished birdie-eagle, holing a 40-foot putt on the 18th hole for a 66 and was one shot behind. Sergio Garcia had a 69 and was another stroke back. Fowler is the first person to go bogey free over the opening 36 holes at the event since 2007.
McIlroy headed home after a 72. He took a triple bogey on the par-5 fifth — his 14th hole of the round — and a birdie on the final hole put him at 4-over 144. It was second straight year for McIlroy to miss the cut.
Sergio Garcia (69) held his own for a big part of the round until he three-putted for bogey on his 10th hole (No. 1) and Fowler built his lead by making birdies. He was lying third behind Fowler and Walker, while Adam Scott (70-65) was fourth.
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