Lowry leads the Arnold Palmer after first round

The first round of the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational, presented by Mastercard, concluded overnight, marking the beginning of an intense and significant period for the PGA Tour in 2024. Topping the leaderboard is Shane Lowry, who completed his opening eighteen holes in 66 strokes (-6 for the tournament). The Irishman is closely pursued by Hideki Matsuyama and Justin Lower, tied for second place with a one-shot deficit from the provisional leader (-5).

Arnold Palmer, results

Lowry’s form was solid; last week, he led at the dawn of the final round before encountering a rough patch, but at Bay Hill, he never quite found his footing. However, in this first round, the Irishman played splendid golf, with only one bogey on the par 3 of the 14th hole, aided by a scorching putter. Five birdies and an eagle grace the scorecard of the former Champion Golfer of the Year, who dazzled with three putts sunk from over six meters and a marvelous approach on the 12th hole.

In second place, as mentioned, is a Japanese-American duo, both at -5 for the tournament. Matsuyama is in excellent form, having won the Genesis three weeks ago, and he confirms it with a round featuring two bogeys, but five birdies and an eagle. Lower is less accustomed to the upper echelons of the leaderboard in such important tournaments and will need to prove himself in the coming days as the greens harden and speed up, and the course dries out from the rain earlier in the week, revealing its more challenging side.

On the par 72 course at Bay Hill (Orlando, Florida), in fourth place with a total score of -4, is an intriguing all-American quartet: Russell Henley, Lee Hodges, Sam Burns, and Sahith Theegala. Closing out the top 10 with a score of -3 is a group of 12 players rich in quality, including the American “twins” Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, reigning Open Championship champion Brian Harman, Luke List, Will Zalatoris, and the Austrian member of last year’s Ryder Cup Team Europe, Sepp Straka. Scottie Scheffler finished the round with 70 strokes (-2), boasting an impressive 15/18 on greens in regulation, while Rory McIlroy struggled more, finishing at (+1).