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

Hoffmann made nine birdies for a seven-under-par 65, moving him to 13 under for the tournament and three-shots clear of Henrik Stenson, Harris English and defending champion Matt Every after two rounds at Bay Hill.

Every, Stenson and English each shot six under rounds.

Rory McIlroy finally got into the picture by making five straight birdies in his round of six under, moving him to five shots off the lead at eight under.

Joining McIlroy at eight under is Australia’s Matt Jones.

Jason Day is four under while Adam Scott is one back from the Queenslander.