Arnold Palmer Invitational 2015: Leaderboard Analysis, Highlights from Thursday

The Arnold Palmer Invitational gets underway at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Florida on Thursday. With gorgeous conditions to play in and both 500 FedEx Cup points and a $1,134,000 winning share on the line, the tournament remains an appealing one for players and fans alike.

Below, you'll find the updated leaderboard, a recap from each day and some of the top highlights from the tournament.  

Leaderboard

Thursday Recap

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Morgan Hoffmann was excellent on the course Thursday, opening his tournament by shooting a six-under 66 and sitting alone atop the leaderboard at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Golf was probably the last thing on his mind after 18 holes, however, as he learned at the start of the day that his grandmother had died.

"Mentally, I'm in kind of a weird state right now," he said in his post-round press conference, per the Associated Press, via ESPN. "My grandma passed away this morning, so I'm just pretty chilled out there and loving life right now. Just wish my family the best at home. My whole family texted me and said, 'Nanny is playing golf with pop up there,' which was pretty cool."

That type of perspective is to be expected from Hoffmann, one of the more fascinating players on tour, according to Ryan Lavner of the Golf Channel:

He certainly played like he had an angel on his shoulder on this day, finishing with four birdies, one eagle and no bogeys. His eagle on No. 6, in particular, was arguably the shot of the day.

Hoffmann has plenty of players nipping on his heels, however, as Jason Kokrak, Kevin Na, Ken Duke, John Peterson and Ian Poulter are each a stroke back, while 11 players are currently sitting at four under.

Poulter joined Hoffmann in the eagle club with this shot on No. 16.

Anything Poulter could do, however, Hunter Mahan could do better. One of the players in the four-under grouping, Poulter nailed this 69-foot putt for eagle on No. 12:

The course certainly played favorably for the field on Thursday. 

Rory McIlroy didn't have his best afternoon, but he remained in striking distance after shooting a two-under 70. McIlroy's approach game was on point on the day, but his putting left something to be desired, as the PGA Tour on Twitter alluded to:

With so many players bunched near the top of the leaderboard and McIlroy within striking distance, Hoffmann will have a tough task on his hands trying to maintain his lead heading into the weekend. Of course, the favorable conditions at the course promise some entertaining golf for fans to enjoy over the next three days.

Expect a fun finish in Orlando.