Kurt Kitiyama (US) shot a second round of 68 for a nine under par 36 hole score to lead by two shots in the $20 million Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard at Bay Hill, Orlando, Florida, on the PGA Tour.

30 year-old Kitiyama is looking for his first victory on the PGA Tour, having previously won twice on the DP World Tour; the 2018 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open and the 2019 Oman Open at Al Mouj Golf, Muscat.

Kitiyama was out in a two birdie 34 and made further birdies on holes 11 and 12, before a bogey – par – birdie finish on the last three holes.

Kitiyama said on concluding his round, ‘Right now I feel like I’m just trying to get that win. It’s tough, especially with the guys I’ve been up against. So I’ve just got to keep putting myself in that position to give myself a chance.’

Golf fans will remember his win in Oman where players battled against the strong winds, that suspended play. It seems Kitiyama is a wind specialist and thrives in these conditions that blew many of the field out of contention in round two. He is currently 46th in the OWGR and 39th in the FedEx Cup Rankings.

Winds were not as strong as predicted but still only 11 players broke 70.

In second place is Jordan Spieth (US) who added a 69 to his first round of 68.

First round leader and World Number One golfer Jon Rahm (Spain) shot a second round 76 to drop to tied 13th with an untidy end to the back nine, going double – birdie – bogey – bogey on holes 15 – 18.

Justin Thomas (US) managed eight birdies in his round, only to finish bogey – bogey for a 67. He is in a group at five under 139, that included Patrick Cantley (US) and US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick (Eng) who birdied the last three holes for a 69. Rory McIlroy (NI) shot a 69 to move up to tied 20th.

Dubai based Adrian Meronk (Pol) missed the cut.

Leading Second Round Scores (Par 72, 7,466 Yards)

1 - K. Kitiyama (US) 67, 68 (-9)2 - J. Spieth (US) 68, 69 (-7)3 - X. Schauffele (US) 68, 70 (-6)   - C. Conners (Can) 72, 66 (-6)