Charlie Wi and Jason Dufner lead the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational
Charlie Wi and Jason Dufner shared the lead on Thursday, in the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard.
Both players scored 6-under 66 at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, consolidating their positions on the leaderboard.
Analysts said that grabbing an early lead in the massive field reflects the capabilities of Wi and Dufner. Both the professionals played well and cheered the spectators by recording good scores.
Wi, a 40-year-old South Korean professional golf player, carded seven birdies and a bogey on the 8th hole. He covered 272.5 average driving yards and his accuracy was 71.
Dufner's performance was better than that of Wi, as the 34-year-old American professional recorded five birdies, one bogey and, most impressively, an eagle on the 16th hole.
The eagle improved his scores and he competed well for the first position. His score was tied with Wi and both finished on the top.
Nick Watney was third, scoring a 4-under 68. He was two strokes behind the leaders and did not share his position on the leaderboard with any other player.
The former world No. 1 Tiger Woods also displayed an amazing performance and scored a 3-under 69. He was sharing his position with K.J. Choi and Justin Rose.
They were three strokes behind the leading position, but they cheered the spectators with their calculated birdies and pars.
"I didn't really do anything great today," Woods said. "I was just solid all day. I drove the ball well, hit my irons decent and putted all right. It's just one of those days where not a lot was going on".
Woods is playing a final tune-up match before the first major of the year. The Masters Tournament is scheduled to be played in the first week of April and the American professional has set his sight on it.
The 36-year-old Woods had sustained an injury while playing the final round of the Cadillac Championship. He withdrew from the event and spent nine days off the course.
According to the reports, Woods has overcome his injuries now and appears to be confident to shine at Augusta.
"I'm just out there playing," Woods said. "I'm feeling good. I've been getting treatment. Everything's good. No swelling. If I can just keep it that way, everything will be great".
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