Dubai: Spaniard Jon Rahm shot a first-round seven under par 65 to lead the $20 million Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard at Bay Hill, on the PGA Tour.

World No 1 Rahm takes a two-shot lead into the second round. He began with birdies on his opening three holes and dropped a shot on hole eight to go out in 34.

Amazing round

On the back nine he birdied 12 and then had a brilliant finish of eagle, birdie and birdie on 16, 17 and 18 to come home in 31.

On completing his round Rahm said: “Amazing round of golf. I wish all of them were as enjoyable as this one.”

Looking at the statistics he hit eight fairways, but an exceptional short game and just 24 putts were the back story to Rahm’s day.

Third straight event

In tied second on 67 is last week’s Honda Classic champion just four days ago winning in a play-off, Chris Kirk (US), along with Cameron Young (US) and Kurt Kitiyama (US), winner of the 2019 Oman Open on the DP World Tour.

Dubai-based 29-year-old Adrian Meronk of Poland playing by virtue of invites, in his third consecutive PGA Tour event in the last tee time of the day, shot a three birdie — four bogey one over par 73, hitting seven greens in regulation, taking 26 putts and lies in tied 68th place.

Bracing for the worst

Others of note in the field include: Scottie Scheffler (US) 68 in tied fifth, and Ulsterman Rory McIlroy 71 also tied 68th.

Bay Hill is bracing for the worst over the next few days, with strong winds in excess of 30 kmph forecast for Friday, on a golf course that is already firm and fast.

First round leaders (Par 72, 7,466 Yards):

J. Rahm (Spain) 65.

C. Kirk (US) 67.

C. Young (US) 67.

K. Kitiyama (US) 67.

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