Daniel Berger storms Bay Hill with 63 to lead Arnold Palmer Invitational
daniel berger fired a bogey-free 9-under 63 at Bay Hill on Thursday, making nine birdies and taking a three-shot lead in the opening round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Fla.
Daniel Berger’s hot putting and ball-striking set the tone
Berger made nine birdies, all but one of them inside 10 feet, and posted his morning 63 without a bogey. He said the course “has that U. S. Open kind of feel to it” and that the greens would firm up as the week progressed, a setup he expects will reward fairways hit and timely putting. PGA TOUR notes in the coverage highlighted Berger’s ball-striking and strong putting, saying he led in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green and was second in SG: Putting, and that he was one stroke off Bay Hill’s course record of 62.
Late starters and who closed fast
Collin Morikawa closed with eagle-birdie-birdie to post a 66, while Ludvig Åberg also shot 66 in the afternoon when the wind was gusting and swirling. Åberg began the back nine with back-to-back bogeys but hit a 5-iron to 25 feet for eagle on the par-5 12th. Cameron Young had seven birdies in a 67 during morning play. Scottie Scheffler played in the midmorning and shot 70, his first opening round under par since his first tournament of the year.
Scores, struggles and surprises on a tough setup
Berger’s 63 stood nearly nine shots better than the average of the 72-man field; just 32 players broke par in the first round. Rory McIlroy, who played late, was slowed by a shot that ricocheted off the rocks and into the water at the 13th for a double bogey and added a bogey at the 18th to finish with a 72. Justin Thomas, making his return after five months away for back surgery, had a difficult opener with a 79 that included a double bogey at the par-4 11th when he missed the fairway and missed a 3-foot putt, and another double at the 16th when a wedge from 81 yards went into the creek.
Berger reflected on rhythm after the long run of injuries that have interrupted his play, saying, “I think the biggest thing for me is just getting in a bit of a rhythm. ” For daniel berger, Thursday’s round looked like a return to the form that has produced low scores in the past; he called it one of the top three rounds he’s played on the PGA TOUR.
The leaderboard through the first round shows Berger at 9 under, with Ludvig Åberg and Collin Morikawa among those chasing at 6 under, and a group including Cameron Young at 5 under. Play continues through the rest of the week at Bay Hill, where Berger and the field will face firmer greens and tougher conditions as the tournament proceeds.
