Teenager Ryan Ruffels leads Aussie contingent at Arnold Palmer Invitational as Jason Day starts well

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• March 17th 2017
• 5 hours ago
• /video/video.news.com.au/Sport/Golf/

Australian Ryan Ruffels made a brilliant start at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

A SOLID start has Australian Jason Day well poised to defend his Arnold Palmer Invitational title in Florida but he was upstaged by a younger compatriot in the first round.

Facing tough, cold conditions in the morning, world No.2 Day carded a two-under- par 70 at Florida’s Bay Hill course to sit in a share of eighth place.

The Queenslander is three shots behind leaders Emiliano Grillo of Argentina and Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick (67) heading into Friday’s second round. “Overall, it was a good day, I just think that with how (thick) the rough is and how slick greens are, anything under par today in the morning was great,” Day said.

However, Day and many of the tournament big guns were outshone by 18-year-old prodigy Ryan Ruffels, who fired a 69 to join compatriot Greg Chalmers as the leading Australians at three-under.

Victorian Ruffels, at Bay Hill courtesy of a sponsor’s invitation, teed off on the 10th hole and made light work of the back nine, bagging four birdies.

Ruffels then braved the difficult front nine to take a share of sixth after day one, while Aaron Baddeley (70) joined Day at two-under.

18 years old.

1 back at Arnie's Place. pic.twitter.com/d1RKVijM2Q

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 16, 2017

A shot further back at one-under and tied 20th was Victorian Marc Leishman (71), while Queenslander Rod Pampling is in 46th after signing for a 73. Young Australian Cameron Smith shares 58th with world No.3 Rory McIlroy and a host of others after struggling to a 74.

Other big names failing to fire included world No.4 Hideki Matsuyama (73) and No.5 Henrik Stenson (75).

Geoff Ogilvy carded a 76 while amateur Curtis Luck and Steven Bowditch (79) are languishing near the bottom of the field at seven-over.

Originally published as Aussie teen outshines big guns at Bay Hill