Final round of three over par 75 sees Padraig finish just outside the top 50 on a tough day around Bay Hill. He got off to a steady start as he covered the front nine in nine straight pars to be out in 36 shots. But turning for home he dropped three quick shots in a row and was strugggling from there. He did manage a birdie four on the reachable par five 16th hole but dropped a shot at the last to sign for a 75. Kurt Kitayama won the event after a topsy turvy afternoon where as many as seven players had chances coming down the back stretch.
Padraig came off the course very disappointed after battling the elements all day and standing in the fairway on the 18th hole at two under par. A visit to the water put paid to a fine round and he paid the penalty with a double bogey six to finish. He had played some sterling golf on a very tough layout to cover the front nine in two under par after picking up shots at the par five 4th hole and the par three 7th hole. He dropped a shot at the par four 10th hole but got that back on the par four 13th hole where he holed a nice 20 foot putt. But after a super drive at the last, it all went Pete Tong but he will be back fighting Sunday!
Padraig battled through a tough second day, where the course played windy, fast and firm! He shot a very pleasing two under par round of 70. This leaves him just outside the top 30 and in a nice position going into the weekend if he can shoot a couple of low rounds. Starting on the back nine, he played flawless golf making three birdies to be out in 33 shots. Turning for home and more difficult wind conditions, he dropped three shots but did manage another two birdies on the par four third and fifth holes to sign for a 70. All to play for!
Padraig opens his account at Bay Hill with a one over par round of 73. He got off to a terrible start with a double bogey on his opening hole but fought back straight away with two birdies in his next three holes. Two more dropped shots followed and he was out in two over par. He again picked up shots on the par fives at 12 and 16 but frustratingly dropped a shot at the last to sign for the 73. He tees off early tomorrow which could be an advantage as there may be windy conditions Friday!
Padraig continues his play on the main PGA Tour at the Arnold Palmer Invitational being played as usual at the iconic Bay Hill Country Club. It’s a designated event so a who’s who of golf is playing! The course normally plays quite tough and this year will be the same with a premium on hitting the fairways.
Tee Times – Padraig tees off in the opening round at 5.06pm local time with Danny Willet and Ben Taylor.