Lahiri begins with 1-over 73 in Palmer Invitational; McIlroy opens with 65

Orlando, Florida, March 4: Anirban Lahiri had yet another disappointing start with 1-over 73 in the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard. Lahiri, who has missed the cut in his last three starts, had two birdies against three bogeys. At 73 he was lying T-63 and would need to get a better score to ensure weekend action.

Rory McIlroy, the 2016 and 2019 FedExCup champion, holds a two-stroke lead after a sizzling 65 which included a 41-foot eagle at the par-5 16th. It was the longest eagle putt he has made in his PGA TOUR career.

McIlroy’s lowest start at Bay Hill gave him a two-shot lead over Billy Horschel, Beau Hossler and J.J. Spaun. Adam Scott, Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter, who dressed in Ukrainian colours, were in the group three shots behind at 68.

Lahiri hit eight of the 18 greens in regulation. Starting on the 400-yard par-4 10th, Lahiri had a bogey after hitting the green in three and missed a par from just over six feet.  Lahiri then bogeyed the 458-yard par-4 18th, getting on the green in four and one putting. He turned in 2 over.

After a 283 yard drive on the 590-yard par-5 fourth, Lahiri chipped his third shot to seven feet, which he rolled in for a birdie. On the 555-yard par-5 sixth, Lahiri had a birdie after hitting the green in 2 and two putting from 90 feet.

Late in the round on the eighth, his 17th hole, Lahiri went into the rough on second but hit to six feet with his third shot. He missed the par putt and finished one-over for the day.

Asia’s best came from Korea’s Sungjae Im, who produced a solid 4-under 68 to match his tournament low score and sit in a share of fifth place, three back of leader McIlroy. The 23-year-old Im showed his fondness once again for Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Florida as he took advantage of the par-5s with birdies on each of the four holes on No. 12, 16, 4 and 6, in addition to another birdie on the par-3 14th hole after starting his day from the 10th.

In three previous appearances at the US$12 million showpiece which is one of three elevated events on the PGA TOUR, Im finished top-3 in 2019 and 2020 while he came in tied 21st last season.

Countryman Si Woo Kim carded a bogey-free 69 for tied 11th position while K.H. Lee was a further stroke back following a 70. Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama and India’s Lahiri opened with 73s to sit right on the projected halfway cut line.

 

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