ORLANDO, Fla. — Reigning FedExCup champion Tommy Fleetwood rallied on the back nine at Bay Hill Club & Lodge to earn himself a tee time for the weekend at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard.

The Englishman, who offset one birdie with a bogey to open the first nine on Friday, circled three birdies on the back nine to get back to 1 over par for the tournament and inside Friday's projected cutline.

Despite his two top-10s to start the year, a candid Fleetwood was honest about his game the day prior.

“Yesterday was really disappointing, because it was just an odd day where I was just, you know, crap,” Fleetwood said bluntly after the second round, but had an upbeat mindset to take into the weekend. “Last year I made the cut on the mark here. I played really well over the weekend. Just got to keep that in mind.”

A year ago, he fired two rounds in the 60s, almost creeping his way into the top-10 by making the most of the easier morning conditions, so there’s still plenty on the table for Fleetwood to think about.

Much has been said in years past about Bay Hill’s difficulty, with the green complexes representing what some have called “a mini major.” This year is no different.

“Occasionally, U.S. Opens can get like this,” Spieth said on the conditions the greens already exude.

The 32-year-old battled back inside the cutline on Friday despite starting with back-to-back bogeys. Spieth was also one to card three birdies on the back nine, and the Texan finished in red figures at 1-under heading into the weekend.

There’s a sense on-site in Orlando that the surfaces are showing off their usual shine earlier than many would have expected.

“This afternoon’s going to be great to watch,” Fleetwood said when asked about the greens. “I’m glad I’m in.”

“... It’s the first major setup, in terms of firmness, the rough and how it plays,” Fleetwood added.

Justin Thomas may have picked the hardest place to make his return to golf.

Just take Rory McIlroy's words when he found out it would be at Bay Hill: "Oof.”

Thomas made his season debut this week after spending almost six months away from competitive action, having undergone microdiscectomy surgery towards the end of 2025.

“I'm trying as hard as I can to get myself a little bit of grace with how long I haven't played, and how difficult this course can be,” Thomas said after carding his second 7-over 79 in as many days. “At the same time, I expect more out of myself.”

Although the score wasn’t what he had hoped for, getting the repetitions under his belt was maybe more useful for Thomas.

“My body feels great, which is a huge positive.” Thomas.

Shane Lowry joined Thomas on the wrong side of the cutline after making a mess of Bay Hill's final hole on Friday evening when his approach shot came up short of the green. With his ball nestled between the iconic rocks lining the water, Lowry needed an up-and-down to make the weekend, but his chip shot rattled off the hosel of his club 38 feet from the flag. The Irishman was unable to make the putt, enduring more heartbreak after his near miss just a few days ago at PGA National.

Others with time to spare this weekend include a pair of world No. 1s in Jason Day and Justin Rose, along with three-time TOUR winner Ben Griffin.

When asked whether Thomas would be calling somewhere local to book a tee time in the next few days, he was quick to joke, “I ring my agent, put him to work every once in a while, I got to make sure he's still on his game.”

For a two-time major champion like Thomas, many in Orlando would be happy for him to join their weekend foursome.