• Arnold Palmer Invitational, Day One

Holmes and Love III lead the way at Bay Hill

JB Holmes demonstrated his power with an eagle on the 12th © Getty Images

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JB Holmes was in red-hot form during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, with the Kentuckian firing a 66 to secure a share of the clubhouse lead with Davis Love III at Bay Hill.

Holmes made a steady start, but birdies on five and six handed him momentum and the famed long hitter took full advantage of his length off the tee with an eagle on the par-five 12th.

Holmes was full of praise for coach Matt Killen after opening with a 66. "I asked him to look at me real quick and I was just too far inside," Holmes said,. I "Changed that a little bit. ... I brought it back out a little bit."

Holmes took 31 putts in his round, but felt comfortable on the greens. "I feel great with the putter in my hand," Holmes said. "I feel more confident. It feels easier. You know, I'm not as mechanical. I'm just going it more with my body and feel and touch, and it's just easier."

Love III rolled back the years with an eagle on the fourth and birdies on 17 and 18 as he joined Holmes at the top of the leaderboard on six-under.

There is just a smattering of European representation at Bay Hill, but Henrik Stenson is flying the flag in style as a round of 67 left him within a shot of Holmes. It could have been better for the Swede as his round contained seven birdies and two bogeys.

Ernie Els has made a welcome return to form this year and he carded a four-under 68, but his round was dogged by three bogeys. The South African sits a shot adrift of Canada's Mike Weir.

A double bogey on 18 cost Robert Allenby a share of the lead, as he dropped back to four-under and he sits alongside Kevin Streelman and Kevin Na. After holing his second at the 10th for an eagle, his second on 18 came up two yards short of the green and landed in the water.

Justin Rose and Brian Davis face battles to remain in contention for the weekend after shooting three-over and two-over respectively, but Ryder Cup skipper Colin Montgomerie produced some solid golf in a level par 72.

Phil Mickelson is being plagued by inconsistency at the moment and a smattering of birdies and bogeys saw him card a 71, two shots behind world No. 2 Steve Stricker.

Graeme McDowell had a nightmare end to his round, as bogeys on 15, 16 and 17 saw him tumble back from four-under to one-under.

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