‘Honestly’… Wyndham Clark reveals the score he’d be happy to finish on at Bay Hill

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U.S Open champion Wyndham Clark birdied five of his last six holes to hold a share of the lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Shane Lowry, Hideki Matsuyama, Russell Henley, Brian Harman and Scottie Scheffler join the 30-year-old on seven-under at the close of round two.

It was a mixed front nine holes for Clark, who had raced to three-under for the round after birdies on the 3rd, 4th and 6th. However, consecutive bogies on the par-four 8th and 9th saw the 30-year-old out in one-under 35.

It was a very different story on the back nine.

Five birdies in his last six holes saw Wyndham rapidly climb the field and put himself into an excellent position heading into the weekend.

After his round of 66, the 30-year-old hinted at more arduous conditions potentially coming over the weekend.

Wyndham Clark on Bay Hill weekend conditions

Wyndham told the PGA Tour’s official website: “Honestly, I bet you if I shot even par, you would be in the top five and have a chance to win.

“Tomorrow is supposed to have some wind and be hot, so it will get firmer and faster, which it’s already doing.

“Then it look likes maybe a little rain on Sunday, so it might ease up. But right now, if you said, ‘Hey, you shoot 3-under on the weekend,’ I would take it.”

Elsewhere, Shane Lowry gained one stroke after a scintillating 66 in his opening round, an outcome the Irishman wasn’t expecting.

“I have come here with very low expectations today,” Lowry said after his first round.

“I knew I was playing well and golf is a funny game. I had it under control today. It’s one of these places where some people love it. I’ve struggled with it. It’s a great place to come and it’s a huge tournament. I am very happy with that today.”

Conditions are set to firm up over the weekend, which could lead to some interesting scores.

It could be a case of ‘who survives’ out of the leading pack. As Clark mentioned, a score of three under for the weekend would be welcomed.

With over 60 feet of puts made in his final three holes, Clark’s work on the greens could give him an excellent chance of picking his second tour win of 2024.