Orlando: South Korea's Charlie Wi took the early clubhouse lead in the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Thursday after firing a fine six-under-par 66 at Bay Hill.
Wi mixed seven birdies with a bogey on the par-four eighth hole for a two-stroke lead over American Nick Watney at the penultimate tour event before the April 5-8 Masters.
Former world number one Tiger Woods and England's Justin Rose were among a pack of golfers sitting three shots back of Wi after posting scores of 69.
"I didn't really do anything great today. I was just solid all day," said Woods.
"I drove the ball well, hit my irons decent and putted allright. I had two three-putts but also made a couple of bombs out there."
Anthony Kim (69), who started on the back nine, had the most eventful opening round among the early starters as his scorecard featured five birdies, a hole-in-one on the 200-yard par-three 17th and four bogeys.
Phil Mickelson, aiming to find his form in time to push for a fourth Masters triumph, shot a one-over 73 with double-bogeys on the third and 18th holes.
"It wasn't the greatest round. I had a middle stretch there of four holes where I played five-over. So I fought back hard to get back to one over," Mickelson told reporters.
"But if I can come out tomorrow and get a hot round, I can get right back in it for the weekend," he said.
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