The Bay Hill Club and Lodge is known for its challenging greens. But Daniel Berger managed to score a nine-under 63 in the opening round of the $20 million Arnold Palmer Invitational. But what did Xander Schauffele think of the performance?
Following his four-under 68 performance, Schauffele admitted to being surprised by Berger’s nine-under score. He was stunned when the media person asked him if he was surprised Berger recovered from whatever kept him away from the pro-am.
“Lucky him,” Schauffele said. “I mean, I had a great time with Doug at 7 p.m. last night, so that was awesome.”
But reflecting on Berger’s 63, the world number 10 claimed it’s a “really good” score. For such a score at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge, nearly everything has to go right.
Schauffele said, “I don’t know what the next best score is, but assuming a lot. He must have hit 16 greens and birdied all the par-5s and did some extracurricular with the putter.”
Even Berger agreed a little bit with Schauffele. But for the golfer on top of the Arnold Palmer Invitational leaderboard, things felt like he was in the U.S. Open.
Daniel Berger agrees with Xander Schauffele about the putts
“It has that U.S. Open kind of feel to it,” Berger told the media following the stunning round. “I think the course is just going to get tougher as the week goes on. The greens are going to get firmer. … So yeah, just hit it in the fairway and try to make as many putts as you can.”
Back in 2018, at the Shinnecock Hills, Berger hit a 66. He went from 11 shots to a tie for the lead. But this time, he made nine birdies, and eight of them were within 10 feet. The bogey-free performance also gave him a three-shot lead.
Following Berger closely, Collin Morikawa and Ludvig Alberg tied for the second spot with a score of six-under 66. But can Daniel Berger maintain the lead in the upcoming rounds?