Hideki Matsuyama fought off lower back pain to fire a first round of 5-under 67 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard on Thursday to lie one shot back of leader Shane Lowry.
The Japanese star, who won the Genesis Invitational in his last start three weeks ago, chipped in for eagle on the par-5 16th hole to add to five birdies and two bogeys as he matched his lowest score at Bay Hill in what is his 10th successive start in the US$20 million PGA TOUR Signature Event.
Chinese Taipei’s C.T. Pan birdied two of his last three holes for a 71, and was matched by Korean duo Sungjae Im and Byeong Hun An. Lowry, a two-time winner on the PGA TOUR used a superb inward 31 to take the first round lead with a fine 66.
Matsuyama, who now holds the record of...