Atwal got a spot into the event courtesy his close friend Tiger Woods, who hosts the tournament each year. The tournament is an invitational event with a prize purse of USD 6.5 million and has a field of 120 players.
Atwal, who does not have a status on the PGA Tour, had not made a start this season. He had three birdies, three bogeys and one double bogey in his 73 and was place tied 64th.
There was a four-way lead at the end of the second round as Marc Leishman (70-66), Oliver Goss (70-66), Ricky Barnes (67-69) and Patrick Reed (68-68) were tied for the top spot.