Wyndham Clark takes Arnold Palmer lead in tough scoring conditions

Wyndham Clark birdied three of his last six holes to take a two-shot lead after the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Thursday in Orlando, Fla.

Clark's 5-under-par 67 at Bay Hill Club & Lodge was one of just 14 rounds under par out of the 72-man field. The four-way tie for second at 3 under features Keegan Bradley, Canadian Corey Conners, Irishman Shane Lowry and South Africa's Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland played in a pairing with his friend Lowry and posted a 2-under 70. He's tied with Si Woo Kim of South Korea, Australia's Cam Davis, Justin Rose of England and Max Greyserman.

Four big names are just behind at 1 under: Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay. Scheffler is the World No. 1 and defending champion.

Because it's a player-hosted invitational, the $20 million signature event will feature a cut to the low 50 scores and ties after Friday's round. Among those not in good shape: Xander Schauffele (5-over 77), Viktor Hovland of Norway (77), South Korea's Tom Kim (6-over 78) and Max Homa (9-over 81).

This is Schauffele's first start following a two-month absence due to a rib injury.

--Field Level Media