The world-ranked number three golfer, Xander Schauffele, made a return to the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill with a challenging five-over 77 on the tournament’s first day. This marked his second appearance in 2025 following a period of recuperation from a side strain.
Schauffele, a two-time major winner, made his comeback in the TGL just a week ago, despite still grappling with the injury during the season-opener at The Sentry. However, the American athlete now seems to have put the health issues behind him.
Despite his triumphant return, Schauffele’s performance showed clear signs of rustiness during the first 18 holes at Bay Hill. The challenging conditions of strong winds and firm greens further heightened the difficulty, with any errors being harshly penalized.
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old golfer prioritizes increasing his tournament rounds in preparation for The Masters. When questioned about his physical condition after the round, Schauffele responded positively, stating he felt “great.”
Schauffele proceeded to delve into some of the stumbling blocks he encountered on Bay Hill’s greens during the first round. The golfer admitted to struggling with seeing lines, underestimating breaks, and not paying enough heed to certain holes. Despite his best preparation efforts, he only began to hit his stride as the wind subsided.
The golfing prodigy humorously remarked on his decision to return to the demanding Bay Hill, saying it was like having his “a** kicked.” He admitted that an easier course, such as Palm Springs, may have been a more forgiving comeback choice. Schauffele confessed that he felt the pressure most acutely on the greens, given their crusty condition and the major championship-like setup.
The first-round leader of the Arnold Palmer Invitational was Wyndham Clark, who managed a five-under 67, leaving Schauffele trailing by ten shots. Clark, the 2023 US Open champion, is two shots ahead of the USA Ryder Cup captain, Keegan Bradley.
Bradley, along with Corey Connors, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, and Shane Lowry, is tied for second place at three under. Other notable performances were Rory McIlroy at two under, and USA stars Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay, Collin Morikawa, and Justin Thomas, all at one under.
Scheffler, despite facing the harshest conditions on Thursday, is poised to benefit from a Friday afternoon tee time. His knack for staying clear of serious trouble could give him a significant advantage in the tournament.
