Christiaan Bezuidenhout scrapped his way around Bay Hill and managed to keep himself inside the top 10 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The South African, who is chasing a Masters ticket, did not enjoy a great day off the tee and hit just six of 14 fairways. That translated into hitting just 50% of the 18 greens in regulation.
Despite the unflattering numbers, he will start inside the top 10 on Saturday and just three back of co-leaders Sung Kang and Tyrell Hatton.
Bezuidenhout’s rise in the game has caught the US announcers off guard but those who have followed him over the past 23 months are well aware of qualities.
He even led through 13 holes as he displayed some sublime stroke play to go with a putter that is leading the charge for his bid to qualify for Augusta. In all, he made five birdies to set himself up for a big weekend.
Dylan Frittelli will start the weekend at -1 after moving up 24 place thanks to a 72. The John Deere Classic winner hit 11 of 18 greens in regulation ensure he too is well-placed heading into the final 36 holes.
Rounds of 75 and 75 saw Charl Schwartzel join the likes of Tommy Fleetwood, Bubba Watson, Alex Noren, Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott, Tony Finau and Jason Day heading home for the weekend.
