Rory McIlroy surprised by slow start to the Arnold Palmer Invitational

Rory McIlroy has admitted he was surprised by his unconvincing start to the Arnold Palmer Invitational, as he looks to find form ahead of the Masters.

The world No 3 looked in danger of missing the cut after struggling to an opening-round 74 and making a slow start to his second round at Bay Hill, but recovered to post a one-under 71.

McIlroy hit several stray tee shots and made a couple of uncharacteristic errors for the second day running, leaving him 11 strokes adrift of midway leader Charley Hoffman.

"I fought a little bit of everything over the past couple of days," McIlroy said after his round. "It's been a little bit of a struggle, which I didn't really anticipate coming in here.

"I felt I was hitting the ball well in practice, putting it good, just haven't really been able to piece it together. At least I'm here for the weekend and got two more days to try and improve on what I've done so far."

Beginning on the back nine, McIlroy bogeyed his opening two holes but stopped the rot with a short birdie at the par-three 12th.

McIlroy missed from 10 feet at the 14th but rolled in a 30-foot eagle at the par-five 16th, only to double-bogey the next after sending his tee shot into water.

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The Northern Irishman responded by picking up a shot at the 18th to reach the turn level-par, before adding another birdie at the par-five fourth.

"I thought I hit it a little better today," McIlroy added. "I gave myself a few more looks. It's still not quite where I want it, but it's at least it was better.

"I'm usually a good fairway wood player, but the fairway woods have been terrible this week. To know that - I know what I'm doing, it's just a matter of trying to iron that out.

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