Arnold Palmer Invitational 2022: Rory McIlroy Leads by 2 Shots After Opening-Round 65
Rory McIlroy shot a seven-under 65 on Thursday to emerge as the first-round leader at the Arnold Palmer Invitational from Orlando, Florida's Bay Hill Club & Lodge.
The four-time major winner, who is looking for his 21st PGA Tour victory and second in this tournament, registered six birdies, one eagle and one bogey on the day.
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He's two shots clear of Beau Hossler, J.J. Spaun and Billy Horschel, who all registered five-under 67 cards.
Here's a look at the top 10 alongside some highlights and notes.
Leaderboard (Top 10 and Ties)
1. Rory McIlroy: -7
T2. Beau Hossler: -5
T2. J.J. Spaun: -5
T2. Billy Horschel: -5
T5. Graeme McDowell: -4
T5. Sungjae Im: -4
T5. Will Zalatoris: -4
T5. Adam Scott: -4
T5. Charles Howell III: -4
T5. Ian Poulter: -4
Go to PGATour.com for the entire scoreboard.
McIlroy Dominates Day 1
McIlroy didn't start this round well, missing an 8'4" birdie putt on No. 10 before bogeying the par-four 11th.
He locked in from that point forward and lit up the back nine starting with birdies on Nos. 12 and 13:
The first birdie was a tap-in on a par five, but McIlroy needed the flat stick to come through on the 13th. It did, and he added another after a 12'8' putt.
He got the eagle on the par-five 16th after drilling a 41'1" putt.
The final birdie to end the back nine was from 7'1" out.
McIlroy then delivered a clean front nine with birdies on the third, fourth and six holes. He stuck a 109-yard approach shot on No. 3 to set up a four-foot birdie.
McIlroy's irons succeeded again after a 143-yard approach set up a 5'10" birdie putt on the fourth.
He then enjoyed a stress-free par-five sixth that ended with a birdie from 2'8" out.
McIlroy finished with three pars, but the result could have been far worse. He left himself with seven feet for a par on the eighth, but he drilled that one to save par.
An awry approach shot on the par-four ninth found the bunker, but his third shot landed within four feet of the hole.
McIlroy got the par to finish the round at seven-under, three strokes better than anyone else in the morning wave.
He'll need to watch his back with nine golfers at four- or five-under.
Among that group, Horschel fired a 10'5" eagle putt on the 16th to move to five-under for the day:
Graeme McDowell and Will Zalatoris, both of whom shot four-under, each had three-birdie stretches:
Round 2 will begin Friday at 7:10 a.m. ET. McIlroy is set to tee off with Adam Scott and Sepp Straka at 12:57 p.m.
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