UPDATE: Jason Day is the new leader after the first round with a score of six-under and McIlroy ended up finishing three-over par, but both have gained a stroke early on in the second round.
-----
Adam Scott isn't done yet. In his last three PGA Tour events, the 35-year-old won twice and finished tied for second. He's tied for first place after the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational as he eyes his third consecutive PGA victory.
Scott, along with Marc Leishman, Brendan Steele, Henrik Stenson and Troy Merritt, carded a 67 on Thursday on three birdies and an eagle. He recorded zero bogeys in a tremendous first round and is continuing his tremendous play ever since the final round of the WGC-Cadillac almost two weeks ago.
What's funny is that Scott thinks he can do better.
''I didn't play my best golf tee-to-green, but I chipped and putted really well today,'' he said. ''That's a nice feeling when you shoot as low as you possibly can.''
Scott has collected $3.316 million in his last three PGA Tour events, and the $6.3 million purse at the Arnold Palmer Invitational could help him add to that total. Golfers were excited to see Bay Hill (the site of the tournament) in excellent condition today, which should bode well for Scott's game through the weekend.
The veteran has some newfound success ever since he was forced to switch to a regular putter following the PGA's ban on anchored putters.
Rory McIlroy joked that he's all for bringing the anchored putters back as a way to slow Scott down.
Unfortunately for McIlroy, he's three-over through his first 15 holes.
A number of stars will look to take advantage, as Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson are absent from the event. However, other such as Francesco Molinari, Chris Kirk, Justin Rose, Emiliano Grillo, Kevin Chappell and Lucas Glover currently sit at four-under par and a number of others trail at three-under. The top of the field appears as if it will be competitive through the weekend.
Last year's champion, Matt Every, is currently one-under through his first 15 holes.
However, while the spotlight will be on Scott, let's not forget about the host of this year's event. Arnold Palmer already made headlines earlier this week because he won't be taking his ceremonial tee shot at the Master's this year, and he's also much less involved in his event this weekend as he continues to grow older.
His grandson said that Palmer would be limited at the Invitational but added that the legendary golfer is still in good health. He's just not as lively as he's been in years past.
Maybe Scott can inject some more life into Palmer with an exciting third consecutive PGA Tour victory.
