ORLANDO — The day started as if carnage would be the theme for the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
But ended with Bay Hill still the challenge it always has been, just not the ridiculous test it was early.
The course played about two strokes easier for the players with the later tee times, aiding Wyndham Clark’s round that ended with a 5-under 67 and a two-shot lead over a group of four golfers, including Jupiter residents Keegan Bradley, Shane Lowry and Corey Connors.
“There’s a lot of water, there’s a lot of trouble out here, and I think I’ve just gotten more comfortable with some of those tee shots,” said Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open champion who was runner-up to Scottie Scheffler at this event a year ago.
“It’s nice to put some good numbers on this golf course and if anything it’s really good momentum for the rest of the week.”
Lowry overtook Bradley with an eagle on No. 16, but that was before Clark birdied two of the last three holes. He finished with six birdies and one bogey.
“I turned on the TV and watched some golf this morning and it didn’t look much fun out there,” Lowry said. “I wasn’t particularly looking forward to my round but I think we got favorable conditions.”
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Bradley’s 69, though, was the most impressive round considering it came when the field’s average was about 75.5 shots before the winds decreased and the temperature increased.
That would have been among the top 10 highest since the event was founded in 1979.
The first round ended playing a shade over 74.5 shots, about 2.6 over par for the combined field.
“Today is one of the better rounds I’ve played all year,” Bradley said. “Some days you get on the course and they’re just coming out right where you’re looking. Today was one of those days.”
Bradley’s round included four birdies and a bogey on No. 15.
The opening round was a stark contrast from Round 1 at least week’s Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches at PGA National which saw Jake Knapp’s historic 59 and a day in which the combined field score was a course record 2.5 shots under par.
Tom D’Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Wyndham Clark shoots 5-under 67 to lead Arnold Palmer Invitational
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