• Then-leader Clark took free relief following tee shot
• Lowry out in front after second round on eight under

The PGA Tour has cleared Wyndham Clark of any wrongdoing after the former US Open champion’s free drop during the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Social media lit up on Friday after Clark took free relief following his tee shot on the 3rd hole. Tournament officials were comfortable Clark’s ball landed back in its own pitch mark, which allows a free drop. Had the ball instead rolled into another divot, Clark could only have taken a drop under penalty. The 31-year-old, who was leading the tournament at the time, went on to make a par.

• US Ryder Cup captain filmed giving a locker room speech
• ‘I meant no disrespect, I was more speaking to our guys’

It transpires the viral moment of ­Netflix’s latest series on golf may have been as much of a surprise to the main protagonist as those looking on.

The assertion of Keegan Bradley, the US Ryder Cup captain, during Full Swing that his contingent are “gonna go to Bethpage to kick their fucking ass” in September immediately looked like golden material for Europe’s locker room. Shane Lowry, likely to be an important part of the European team, was asked last week whether he was aware of ­Bradley’s sentiment. “Oh yeah,” said the ­Irishman. “We have all seen it.”

• World No 1 jokes about ‘confidence boost’ after defeat
• McIlroy: ‘I don’t think the PGA Tour needs a LIV deal’

The secret to beating Scottie Scheffler has emerged at last: place him in a duel against a 10-handicapper.

Scheffler’s domination of professional golf has led to him winning 18 times since early 2022. He is the undisputed world No 1, who this week will chase a third Arnold Palmer Invitational in four attempts. The Texan used pre-tournament media duties at Bay Hill to reveal he is fallible, including in dramatic circumstances to an amateur friend with whom he faced off in Dallas at the weekend.