2014 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill: Tee times, pairings for Friday’s round

Perfect scoring conditions greeted the players on Thursday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and they took advantage by posting several rounds in the mid-60s. But no one was better than Adam Scott, who matched a course record with a 10-under round of 62 to cruise to a three-shot lead after 18 holes. Scott was flawless, dominating the par-5s and making everything with his broomstick putter, including five putts outside 19 feet. It was a display that makes him an overwhelming favorite the rest of the way in Orlando and may make him the favorite in three weeks at Augusta.

Scott is playing in the marquee group alongside Justin Rose and Patrick Reed, who are also both in the red. Reed may be the hottest player on the planet, a fact he was quick to point out after becoming the youngest ever WGC winner two weeks ago at Doral. His 3-under 69, however, was blown away by Scott’s roll and had to put him in check…momentarily … maybe momentarily … probably not. Rose is 1-under, and just took in the show his good friend and fellow 2013 major champion put on in the first round. The group will be out late in the afternoon on Friday for the second round, so expect their every shot to be in front of a camera during the Golf Channel coverage window (3 to 6 p.m. ET).

One group ahead of that marquee trio is the pairing of Rickie Fowler and Brandt Snedeker. They lost the third member of their group on Thursday afternoon when Bubba Watson imploded, hit three balls in the water on one hole for an 11, then posted an 83 to come in DFL. He then withdrew from the tournament, citing allergies and went home and hung out with Fowler, who did back flips into the lake presumably behind Bubba’s Isleworth home.

In the morning wave, Harris English, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, and Henrik Stenson are some of the bigger names trying to post a low number and put some pressure on Scott in the afternoon. It will be tough to catch him by Friday night, but at this point it’s just about positioning for the weekend. The morning usually presents better scoring conditions and more true rolls on the greens, which are slippery this week at Bay Hill.

Here’s the full tee sheet for Friday’s second round: