'Methodical' McIlroy sets Day One pace at Bay Hill

Rory McIlroy got straight back into his Bay Hill groove as he took the early clubhouse lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

McIlroy, who has one victory and four top-10 finishes in his seven previous appearances at this prestigious event, began his week with a seven-under round of 65, three better than Graeme McDowell, Sungjae Jim, Will Zalatoris, and Adam Scott among the early starters.

FULL LEADERBOARD

"I think you turn up at any course where you've had success and automatically you're going to have some confidence coming in," McIlroy said.

"I've shot some really nice scores here. I think the last couple of years I've opened up the tournament really well with scores similar to what I shot today."

Though McIlroy, starting on the back nine, had an early bogey on the par-four 11th, he responded with two birdies and then sank a 41-foot putt for an eagle on the par-five 16th.

The Irishman picked up another shot to make the turn at four under and stretched his lead with three birdies in four between the third and sixth holes.

Solo leader. @McIlroyRory is on cruise control. pic.twitter.com/MwrnxSWDjs

"I feel there's a nice flow to this course where you can really build a score," McIlroy added.

"You have par-fives, one every few holes, and you've got a couple of scorable par-fours.

"As long as you don't do anything stupid and you keep it in play, you feel like you can sort of methodically build a score on this golf course. That's what I tried to do today."

Three behind him in a tie for second is Graeme McDowell, who also enjoyed a fine day at the office.

McDowell had six birdies and two bogeys in his four-under 68, which was matched by Sungjae Im, Will Zalatoris and Adam Scott.

Padraig Harrington and Seamus Power are among the later