A major championship test has produced a major championship leaderboard through the first round of the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational. On a day when the scoring average at Bay Hill Club & Lodge was roughly 74.50, it was last year’s runner-up Wyndham Clark who seized control of the tournament with an opening 5-under 67 to command a two-stroke lead over Shane Lowry and Keegan Bradley, among others.
“I don’t know if I figured it out. I definitely feel a little more comfortable on it,” Clark said of Bay Hill.
Translation: I feel more at ease this time.
Clark was the beneficiary of calmer – albeit still difficult – conditions Thursday afternoon as the scoring average among the later wave proved about 1.50 strokes lower than those who teed off in the morning. Clark raced to the top of the leaderboard late thanks to birdies on Nos. 16 and 18.
The two-time major champion, Xander Schauffele, faced challenges in his first tournament of the year, ultimately finishing at 5-over.
Leaderboard Highlights:
- Wyndham Clark (-5)
- Shane Lowry, Keegan Bradley (-3)
- Rory McIlroy, Max Greyserman (-2)
- Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa (-1)
Clark looks poised for victory, especially as conditions appear favorable for the following rounds.
