Martin Laird on tail of leader Corey Conners at Bay Hill

Scotland’s Martin Laird is seeking a second victory in the Arnold Palmer Invitational (John Raoux/AP)

Canada’s Corey Conners claimed the halfway lead in the Arnold Palmer Invitational as former winner Martin Laird spearheaded a strong European challenge at Bay Hill.

Conners added a 69 to his opening 66 for a halfway total of nine under par, a shot ahead of 2011 champion Laird, with McIlroy another stroke back alongside Norway’s Viktor Hovland and American Lanto Griffin.