Scottie Scheffler part of six-way tie for lead at Arnold Palmer

Field Level Media|published: Fri 8th March, 18:00 2024

Mar 7, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Scottie Scheffler hits his drive on the first tee during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament. credits: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Scottie Scheffler and Wyndham Clark made late charges on Friday to join a six-way tie for the lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Fla.

Russell Henley, who carded a 69 Friday, shares the lead at 7-under 137 with five former major winners: Scheffler (67), Clark (66), Brian Harman (68), Japan's Hideki Matsuyama (70) and Ireland's Shane Lowry (71). They are one stroke ahead of Will Zalatoris, who shot a 69 at Bay Hill Club & Lodge.

Scheffler, who won this event in 2022, was even for his round through 11 holes when a chip-in eagle at the par-5 12th gave him a boost. The World No. 1 birdied Nos. 15-17 to join the leaders.

Clark, the reigning U.S. Open champion, birdied five of his last six holes to rocket up the leaderboard, his tough, curling 27-footer at No. 18 getting him to 7 under for the week.

Germany's Stephan Jaeger (67) and Argentina's Emiliano Grillo (70) are tied for eighth at 5 under. A large knot at 4 under features Max Homa (69), Justin Thomas (71), Sam Burns (72) and Norway's Viktor Hovland (69).

Though it's a signature event, the Arnold Palmer Invitational still features a 36-hole cut down to the top 50 and ties, plus anyone within 10 strokes of the leaders. Notables who couldn't get to 3 over or better included England's Matt Fitzpatrick (5 over), England's Justin Rose (5 over), Australia's Adam Scott (5 over) and 2023 Arnold Palmer winner Kurt Kitayama (7 over).

Collin Morikawa and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood each shot rounds of 80 on Friday and missed the cut at 6 over and 9 over, respectively.

—Field Level Media