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Lowry and McIlroy make strong starts at Arnold Palmer Invitational

Shane Lowry is two off the lead
Shane Lowry is two off the lead

Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy are both well placed after the first day's action at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

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Wyndham Clark - who birdied three of his last six holes - leads the way on five-under after shooting a 67 but Lowry is one of four players sitting just two shots back on three-under.

McIlroy is a further shot back on two-under-par, however there was a tinge of disappointment for the pair; they both bogeyed the 18th. Lowry had actually moved into the lead when he eagled the 16th, but had to settled for -3 after giving one back on the last.

Lowry sits alongside Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Keegan Bradley and Corey Conners.

McIlroy has Cameron Davis, Si-Woo Kim, Justin Rose and Max Greyserman for company on two-under.

Four big names are just behind at one-under: Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay. Scheffler is the world No 1 and defending champion.

Because it's a player-hosted invitational, the $20m signature event will feature a cut to the low 50 scores and ties after Friday's round. Among those not in good shape: Xander Schauffele (five-over), Viktor Hovland (five-over), Tom Kim (six-over) and Max Homa (nine-over).

This is Schauffele's first start following a two-month absence due to a rib injury.

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