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Henry and Couples share lead after Invitational first round

14/03/2008

Americans JJ Henry and Fred Couples are the joint leaders of the Arnold Palmer Invitational after the first round at Bay Hill.

Both men carded five-under-par 65s in good conditions at the Florida course, to take a one-shot lead into the second round ahead of a chasing pack that features Fijian Vijay Singh and England's Lee Westwood.

Americans Tom Lehman and Lucas Glover also went round in 66 on the first day to join Westwood and Singh in touching distance of the top two.

However, heavy favourite Tiger Woods enjoyed a less-successful day after an even-par round of 70 left him languishing in the middle of the field.

Afterwards the world number one blamed his iron play, saying he "never felt comfortable… and missed some greens I wouldn't normally miss".

"I made mistakes I don't normally make," he added.

Jim Furyk and Bubba Watson are two of five players on 67 – three under par - after the first round, while Sweden's Carl Petterson is also in striking distance after a 68.

There were several European players who failed to find any form in the first round, however.

Scotland's Colin Montgomerie finished with a two-over-par 72, as did England's Ian Poulter.

Luke Donald and Paul Casey had an even less enjoyable time of it - carding four-over-par and five-over-par rounds, respectively.