02 March 2019: On a day when the leaderboard underwent a major makeover, Anirban Lahiri played with great determination and fortitude to eke out an even 70 from the PGA’s Champion Course. Sungjae Im and Keith Mitchell took advantage of the morning conditions as they moved into a share of the lead at 6-under 134. Lucas Glover was alone in the third spot, just a stroke behind the leaders.
Brooks Koepka, Ryan Armour, Sung Kang, Freddie Jacobson, Kyoung-Hoon Lee, Adam Svensson, Adam Schenk, Wyndham Clark, and Danny Lee are lying T4 at 4-under.
Anirban started his round on the 10th tee and was bleeding strokes before too long. As he reached the 17th tee, the Indian was two over for the day. Bogeys at the 14th and 16th hurt his card but not his spirit.
He reached the green in three on the par-5 18th before making the short putt he needed to score the first birdie of the day. Anirban remained clean through the rest of the round, punctuating a smooth run through the second nine with a brilliant birdie on the par-3 7th hole.
Anirban did not miss a beat on Friday, especially from inside ten feet on the green, accumulating some much needed confidence for the weekend.
First round leader Jhonattan Vegas slipped to a 73 to as he joined Anirban in T13. Defending champion Justin Thomas saved himself the blushes by making the cut on the number despite a 74 on Friday.
The 36 hole cut at 2-over 142 left 83 professionals inside the field, forcing the Honda Classic to activate another round of slicing at the end of the third round. Only the top 70 and ties will progress into the final round on Sunday.