Wyndham Clark (-5) is the first leader of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The 2023 US Open champion finished his round with a sublime shot on the challenging 18th hole, setting up a birdie and taking the lead with a two-shot advantage over his closest pursuers. He made six birdies and one bogey. His tee-to-green play was outstanding, especially his approach shots. He understood the tough behaviour of Bay Hill’s rough better than anyone and hit more greens than anyone else (15).
The legendary Arnold Palmer’s course presented itself with high, dense rough and very firm greens. Amateur Jackson Koivun, who started with a round of PAR, revealed that they were also at 14 on the stimpmeter. These are the usual conditions of the Majors and, especially, the hallmark of the US Open, at least a few years ago, before the USGA’s hearts softened. Therefore, it should not be too surprising that the leader is a US Open champion.
Be that as it may, and without taking away any importance from Clark’s round, it should not be overlooked that the conditions in the afternoon were better than those in the morning. The second wave clearly benefited more. The explanation is simple. The wind decreased in intensity and, at times, became an almost imperceptible breeze. Wyndham took advantage of it like no one else, and generally better results were seen.
Of the 14 golfers who finished under par, nine played in the afternoon. There is no doubt about it. It could almost be said that the morning was twice as difficult as the afternoon. More credit to Scottie Scheffler‘s result, who shot one under par when the wind was strongest and is four shots off the lead and only two from the second place shared by Shane Lowry, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Corey Conners, and Keegan Bradley. All at -3. Lowry was aiming even higher, but finished with a bogey on the 18th hole.
The same happened to Rory McIlroy (-2). He ended with a stumble on the 18th hole, leaving a bad taste in his mouth after a great round of golf. He was good in all aspects of the game. He hit strong and long, as usual, his approach shots were very good, and he recovered brilliantly, even saving pars from very complex situations with a fried egg in a bunker on the 15th hole. He’s in fine form.
The one who paid dearly for inactivity was Xander Schauffele (+5). He didn’t look comfortable, making many gestures trying to find sensations in his swing. Nothing surprising. His injury was delicate, and Bay Hill is not exactly the idyllic garden to ease back into the swing of things. A poor start also for Sepp Straka (+5), as well as for Viktor Hovland (+5) or Matt Fitzpatrick (+6), although in these two cases, it is less and less surprising. On a positive note, Justin Rose (-2) took advantage of the better afternoon conditions with a lethal putter, demonstrating that qualifying for the Ryder Cup is fuel for his golf. Similarly, an outstanding reaction from Justin Thomas (-2) after starting with two double bogeys in the first four holes.
