McIlroy shoots 66 but Every leads the way by one shot at Bay Hill

M AT T Ev e r y s h o t a n opening-day 65 to claim the overnight lead in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando.

The American, who started on the back nine, had picked up three shots by the turn and birdied three of the next four holes to join clubhouse leader Rory McIlroy on six-underpar before edging his way in front with a three at the par-four eighth.

McIlroy, who also played the back nine first, dropped a shot at his second hole but was one under at the turn and collected an eagle three at the fourth as he carded five more birdies to finish with a six-under-par 66.

Americans Talor Gooch and Scottie Scheffler will head into the second round tied for third, a shot further back, with Englishman Tyrrell Hatton and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell among a group of players on four under and Ian Poulter a shot worse off.

However, Justin Rose may need an improvement to make the cut after shooting 73, while Padraig Harrington, Jason Day and Lee Westwood carded 74s, Tommy Fleetwood 76 and Phil Mickelson a 77 on a testing day.

Defending champion Francesco Molinari had earlier withdrawn from the defence of his title with a back injury.

Molinari shot a brilliant closing 64 at Bay Hill last year to claim a two-shot victory, but the winner of the 2018 Open Championship has not recorded a single top-10 finish since a tie for fifth in the Masters last April.

The 37-year-old Italian, who held a two-shot lead at Augusta National before finding water twice in the last seven holes, has slipped from a career-high of fifth to 26th in the world rankings.

Molinari is 53rd in the qualifying standings for September’s contest at Whistling Straits.

Rory McIlroy carded an opening 66.