Jason Day roared down the back nine at Bay Hill on Thursday, where he made seven consecutive one-putts on his way to a round of 66 and the sole lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
‘Anytime you’re shooting six-under, especially at a golf course like this, with how tough everything is, it does wonders for your confidence,’ he said.
The Australian won five times and reached world number one last year, but has been quieter in the opening months of 2016. Not so on Thursday as he reached six-under-par and took a one-shot lead over a five-way tie for second place that included his countrymen Adam Scott and Marc Leishman.
’It hasn’t been the greatest start,’ said Day. ‘Everyone knows that, especially if you’re a top ranked player in the world. You’re expecting to go play well and everyone is expecting you to play well.
‘There was no sense of urgency at all for me, really. Just make sure you stay patient and things will happen, it will happen.’
Also one-off the pace was Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, who has top-10s from three of his last four starts at Bay Hill.
‘I didn’t drop any shots and rolled a couple of good ones in. Hit some good irons in, so I’m pleased with the round,’ he said.
The South African trio of Retief Goosen, Ernie Els, and Rory Sabbatini all shot 70 for a share of 27th place on two-under, while Tyrone van Aswegen went round in level-par 72.
