Day grabs five-shot Bay Hill lead with strong 65

March 19, 2016 | 14:17

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Australia's Jason Day stormed to a five-stroke lead during Friday's second round of the PGA Arnold Palmer Invitational after shooting a a bogey-free seven-under par 65 at Bay Hill.

Jason Day of Australia hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard at Bay Hill Club and Lodge on Mar 18, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo: AFP/Sam Greenwood)

MIAMI: Australia's Jason Day stormed to a five-stroke lead during Friday's second round of the PGA Arnold Palmer Invitational after shooting a a bogey-free seven-under par 65 at Bay Hill.

Last year's PGA Championship winner has his eyes firmly set on back-to-back major titles with the Masters looming in only three weeks at Augusta National.

World number three Day birdied three par-5 holes and followed up his opening 66, which put him one stroke ahead when the round began, with another impressive round at the Orlando layout leaving him on 13-under 131 for 36 holes.

"It's great to be there," Day said. "Definitely way above average. I had it on a string around here the past two days. I'm very happy with the way I've gotten around this course."

Day, who began his round off the 10th tee, sank a two-foot birdie putt at the par-5 12th, tapped in for birdie at the par-5 16th after missing a 17-foot eagle bid and dropped a 37-foot birdie putt at the par-3 17th.

The Aussie dropped his approach inches from the cup to set up a birdie at the fourth, sank a 12-foot birdie putt at the fifth and added a three-footer for birdie at the par-5 sixth.

Then he closed out the round by banging in a 36-foot birdie putt at the ninth.

"My goal was to be patient out there but still aggressive with the lines I was taking," Day said. "Today I hit some phenomenal drives to set up some great irons into the greens. Played the par-5s great and his a couple huge bombs out there."

American Jamie Lovemark was in the clubhouse a distant second on 136 after back-to-back 68s.

AFP

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