Arnold Palmer Invitational: Viktor Hovland leads Rory McIlory by two strokes

Norway's Viktor Hovland shot a six-under-par 66 to take the lead after round two of the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.

He posted seven birdies to move to nine under and a two-shot lead over Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, American Talor Gooch and England's Tyrrell Hatton.

World number four Hovland needed only 23 putts as he built on his opening-round 69.

«I knew I putted well, but I didn't know it was 23,» he said.

«My speed was maybe a little bit off, and I still feel like I can improve on that a little bit even after today.»

Starting on the back nine, 24-year-old Hovland birdied the 10th and 12th and hit his only bogey of the day on the 13th.

He recovered to make birdies on the 15th, 16th and par-three 17th, and wrapped up a fine day with birdies at the par-five fourth and sixth.

«I saw the lines really well,» Hovland said. «Sometimes when you see a couple go in early, it's easy to keep that feel going throughout the day.»

McIlroy, who began the day with a two-shot lead, carded a bogey at the first.

Although he regained the lead with birdies at the fifth, seventh and eighth, he did not manage any more.

«My ball-striking today was pretty good apart from the first couple of holes,» said McIlroy.

«You just have to be so, so precise whenever the greens get like this.»