Rafa Cabrera-Bello shoots first round 65 to lead after first round of 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational
First round play began early Thursday at the 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida.
After shooting a first round 65, Arnold Palmer Invitational debutant Rafa Cabrera-Bello (pictured above) leads the field at 7-under, two strokes ahead of Keegan Bradley. Cabrera-Bello had the perfect host in his first competitive trip around Bay Hill Club and Lodge as he was paired with Arnold Palmer’s grandson, Sam Saunders (pictured below.)
“He’s the perfect case of ignorance is bliss,” Saunders said. “He doesn’t know how hard this golf course is supposed to be. He made it look awfully easy today.”
The 34 year old Spaniard hit 13 greens and only had to make five putts outside of 5 feet but produced back-to-back birdies from 30-plus feet, at Nos. 4 and 5.
Rickie Fowler (pictured above), who finished last weekend’s Honda Classic T2 with Brooks Koepka, struggled Thursday at Bay Hill recording three bogies and a double bogey on the 13th hole. Fowler, who finished 2-over 74, also recorded three birdies in the first round.
An early casualty of the day was 2016 tournament champion Jason Day, who withdrew after his 2nd shot on No. 16 and left Bay Hill on a golf cart, reportedly due to a back injury.
Play resumes tomorrow, Friday 8th March at 6.45m.
More photos at www.FloridaLeisurePhotography.com
