Corey Conners on fire to start Arnold Palmer Invitational

It’s still early at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Corey Conners hasn’t even made the turn, yet that hasn’t stopped him from taking an early share of the lead with Rory McIlroy.

It was a surprise to see him up there so early on in his round. For the better part of the morning, it was Rory at -6, Bryson at -5, and Kokrak at -4.

Then, all of a sudden, there he was. Corey Conners, through just seven holes, was tied for the lead already with Rory McIlroy. -6 through just seven holes is always an incredible run.

Here’s how Corey Conners took an early share of the lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Starting on the back nine, Conners made his mark right away. Taking aim from 116 yards out, he would dial it in to just four feet from the hole for an early birdie. It was something that we would need to get used to for Conners, as his iron game has been on point so far throughout his round.

That was further proved on the next hole when, this time from 146 yards out, he would knock it once again to four feet before pouring in a second straight birdie putt. He showed he could make putts outside four feet as well, making it three straight birdies with a 16-footer at the par-5 12th hole.

After missing putts from eight feet and 27 feet, which resulted in two straight pars, Conners got back on the birdie train on the par-4 15th when he made his longest putt up to that point, a 21-footer for his fourth birdie.

Conner wouldn’t make birdie on the next hole… but that’s only because he never had a chance. Smashing his drive 330 yards down the middle of the par-5 16th, the irons stayed dialed in when he hit it to five feet from 180 yards out. He would make the eagle putt to get to -6 through seven holes.

He had yet another chance for birdie, this time on the par-3 17th. The 18-foot look rolled to within one foot, and he would tap in for his third par of the day. Alas, the writer’s curse would strike, and Conners would fail to go up-and-down on the 9th from just eight yards out, carding his first bogey, and making the turn at -5.

Best of luck to Corey Conners as he makes the turn. He’s got a great chance to put together an all-time round at Bay Hill.