Big start for McIlroy (-7). A month before the Masters, the Northern Irishman had an almost perfect day, only a bogey at 11 slowed him down. Winner of the tournament four years ago, Rory has six birdies, an eagle and a bogey, to place himself two shots ahead of the Americans Spaun, Hossler and Horschel (-5). Then come in particular Zalatoris, Poulter and Scott (-4).
A confident McIlroy
Winner in 2018, first lap completed in 66 (-6) in 2020 and 2021, Rory feels confident at Bay Hill: “I think you perform on the courses where you have already won, and automatically the confidence comes with it.” By still scoring on the par 5s, with three birdies and an eagle on Thursday, the Northern Irishman is aware of their importance on the Florida route “I played the par 5s particularly well, that’s what made up most of my score today”.
76 for Barjon
Complicated start to the tournament for Paul Barjon. The Frenchman points to 104th place after his opening lap in 76 (+4). Struggling on the greens, with more than 2.3 strokes lost on the rest of the field putter in hand, Barjon signed two birdies, but for four bogeys and a double. Reason for hope for the Frenchie : its driver address in hand. Indeed, with 11 of 14 fairways hit (79%), Paul Barjon is the fourth most accurate player in the field.
