Arnold Palmer Invitational: Day takes one-shot lead

Jason Day shot a six-under par 66 in the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Friday to take a one-stroke lead at Bay Hill Club in Orlando. Day, third in the World Ranking, shot five-under on the back nine that included an eagle on 16 to give him the outright lead.

"I feel really good about the game. I mean the swing is coming along nicely," said Day. "I think if there's one thing I'd like to improve upon over the next couple weeks is really from tee to green, trying to improve that, hit more fairways, hit more greens. And then I think putting has actually been pretty good for me."

Adam Scott, seeking his third consecutive PGA Tour victory following wins at the Honda Classic and the WGC-Cadillac Championship, shot a five-under 67. He is one shot off the lead and tied for second with Marc Leishman, Brendan Steele, Henrik Stenson and Troy Merritt.

World No. 8 Justin Rose shot a 4-under 68, two shots behind Day, and is tied for seventh place. Rose's round consisted of two eagles (one on a par-4) and a double bogey.

Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, winner of the 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open, was in a similar position until the 18th hole. He double bogeyed it after hitting his second shot into the water. He finished with a two-under 70, six shots off the lead.

Rory McIlroy, still chasing his first victory of the year, shot a three-over 75. He is nine shots off the lead and tied for 107th place. His round included two double bogeys on the front nine.