GOLF/US Tour: Paul McGinley put his disappointing opening round of 74 behind him with a four-under-par 68 at the $4 million PGA Bay Hill Invitational in Orlando yesterday.
An early starter, McGinley struck form from the word go with a birdie three at the opening par four. Further birdies followed at the fourth (par five), 11th and 15th (both par fours).
After the opening round it looked as if the Dublin man would be seeking alternative entertainment for the weekend. Now, he is faced with the possibility of a nice payday after making the weekend cut on a two-under aggregate of 142.
However, he is still 10 shots off the leader, Tiger Woods, who is seeking his third straight win at the Florida venue. He was in irrepressible form and took the course apart with a seven-under-par 65, leaving him on 12 under. His only blip in an eight-birdie round was on one of the hardest holes on the course, the eighth (his 17th), where he bogeyed from 15 feet.
Woods is winless since the NEC Invitational last August, but is now in pole position four shots clear of Scott McCarron, with Ernie Els and Angel Cabrera next on seven under.
