Wyndham Clark takes Arnold Palmer lead in tough scoring conditions

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

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.