Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard Round 1

Date
Thu 5th March 2026 (UTC)
Thu 5th March 2026 (Local)

Timestamp
2026-03-05T12:40:00

Time

12:40:00 UTC (07:40:00 Local)

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League
PGA Tour

Season
2026

Round
9

Status
Match Finished

Location

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Description

The 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard returns to the iconic Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida. As the third Signature Event of the PGA TOUR season, the tournament features an elite 72-player field competing for a $20 million purse and the coveted red cardigan sweater. The strategic narrative for the opening round centers on the "U.S. Open-style" conditions of the course, which is playing notoriously firm and fast. With thick, penalizing rough and greens that already appear "white" due to the lack of moisture, distance control and precision off the tee are the primary keys to success.

The field is headlined by world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, a two-time winner at Bay Hill, and Rory McIlroy, who is looking to sharpen his game ahead of the Masters. A significant storyline entering the week is the return of Justin Thomas, who is making his first competitive start in six months following back surgery. With the afternoon winds expected to gust across the exposed Florida landscape, the early starters will look to capitalize on slightly softer conditions before the course bakes out for the later groups.

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Result List

Result Description

Daniel Berger delivered a stunning masterclass in the opening round, carding a bogey-free 9-under-par 63 to take a three-stroke lead. Berger, who has been working his way back from a broken finger late last year, caught fire on the back nine with six birdies, ultimately finishing nearly nine shots better than the field average. His performance was particularly impressive given the firm conditions that left many of the world's best struggling to find a rhythm.

The chasing pack is led by Collin Morikawa and Ludvig Åberg, who both shot 6-under-par 66s. Morikawa surged late in the day with a dramatic eagle-birdie-birdie finish, while Åberg’s afternoon round was hailed as "unbelievable" by his peers given the intensifying winds. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler posted a steady 2-under-par 70 to stay within striking distance, but it was a difficult day for Justin Thomas, whose return to action resulted in a 7-over-par 79. By the end of Thursday, only 32 players managed to break par, underscoring the brutal difficulty of "Arnie's Place."

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