Rory McIlroy sets the mark at the Arnold Palmer with an opening 65

He holed a 40-foot eagle at the 16th and birdied the 18th to reach the turn in 32

EYEING IT UP: McIlroy on the 18th during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational

Rory McIlroy, the champion at Bay Hill in 2018, scorched to an opening-round 65 and seven under to lead the Arnold Palmer Invitational by three shots on Day One from his compatriot Graeme McDowell, Adam Scott, Sungjae Im and Will Zalatoris.

McIlroy said this week that Bay Hil suited his eye and he's posted top-10 finishes in his last five appearances at the course. He was out of the blocks fast again Thursday, blending an eagle and six birdies with a lone bogey to finish three strokes ahead of the rest of the morning starters, with Graeme McDowell tied-second