Hoffmann playing like he intends to win

Equipped with his first PGA Tour lead in 67 starts, Morgan Hoffmann played Friday like he wanted to keep it in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Hoffmann made birdies on half of his holes for a 7-under 65, giving him 13-under 131 and a three-shot lead over Henrik Stenson, Harris English and defending champion Matt Every going into the weekend on soft and defenceless Bay Hill. Stenson, English and Every each had a 66.

Rory McIlroy also got into the mix — finally — by making five straight birdies on his back nine for a 66, his first sub-70 score in three PGA Tour events this year.

He was five shots behind and headed in the right direction in his final start before the Masters.

Bay Hill has greens that are so stressed, they’ll be replaced this summer. They’re slow and receptive, a recipe for low scoring, and it shows.

Hoffmann was one short of the 36-hole record at Bay Hill. The cut was at 142, matching the lowest score to make the cut in 27 years at Bay Hill.

It was the first time the cut was under par, but only because the tournament changed par to 70 (instead of 72) in 2008.

Two Canadians made the cut. Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C. had 65 coming on the heels of 76 to sit tied for 40th at 3-under 141. Dave Hearn of Brantford, Ont. had 73 after an opening round 69 to sit tied for 55th place at 142. Graham DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask. missed the cut by two after rounds of 74 and 70 for 144.

“I’m trying to birdie every hole out there, so it was good,” Hoffmann said. “This year hasn’t been that great, and it’s a good change.”