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Levin's 66 leads Palmer Invitational

Tiger Woods was 7 shots off the pace after firing a 1-over 73 in the first round.

Associated Press

Posted: March 25, 2011

On a tough and blustery day at Bay Hill, Spencer Levin made it look easy at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Fla.

Levin played bogey-free Thursday in the afternoon for a 6-under 66, a score so good that it gave him a 3-shot lead over Rickie Fowler and Hunter Mahan and was more than 8 shots better than the average score.

Tiger Woods opened with a 1-over 73, his highest start at Bay Hill since 1999.

LPGA

Amanda Blumenherst birdied the final four holes for a 7-under 66 and a 1-stroke lead over Germany's Sanda Gal in the Kia Classic in Industry, Calif.

Michelle Wie birdied the par-5 18th for a 68. The Kia endorser, returning to the tour after finishing finals at Stanford, played in chilly conditions late in the afternoon.

Top-ranked Yani Tseng opened with a 71. Karrie Webb shot a 72.

European Tour

Robert Rock of England birdied five of his final eight holes for a 5-under 65 that tied him with four other players after the first round of the Andalucian Open in Malaga, Spain.

Fellow Englishman Jamie Elson and Swedish trio Johan Edfors, Rikard Karlberg and Oscar Floren also led.