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A18 SPORTS
Friday 8 March 2019

Cabrera Bello leads Bay Hill as Lefty salvages wild round

By DOUG FERGUSON which eventually spit out alty allowed him to move Mickelson said. “I didn’t “Playing with Sam is always
AP Golf Writer of the fence and this time it one club length away. want to play that shot a pleasure, not because
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Rafa landed out-of-bounds. Mickelson was able to get again.” he’s the grandson of Arnie
Cabrera Bello had a Bay The old rule would have that one to the front of the He didn’t think the first shot but because of how nice of
Hill debut to remember meant hitting his next shot green, and he two-putted was all that difficult, but he a guy he is,” Cabrera Bello
with a 7-under 65 for a two- at least rallied with three said. “Obviously, playing at
shot lead while playing with birdies that left him three Bay Hill with him I know how
Arnold Palmer’s grandson. shots out of the lead. special this event is for all of
The entertainment, as usu- “I’ve made a lot of doubles us, I can only imagine how
al, came from Phil Mickel- in my day,” Mickelson said. special it is for him.”
son. “It’s one more, it doesn’t Cabrera Bello is No. 34 in
Back at the Arnold Palm- even hurt.” the world, winless since the
er Invitational for the first Keegan Bradley played Scottish Open in 2017.
time in six years, Mickelson bogey-free for a 67 in the McDowell was among the
capped off a wild round by morning, as did Cabrera first tournament ambas-
nearly holing his approach Bello. Mickelson was in the sadors after Palmer died
from the 18th fairway for his group at 68 along with as a longtime supporter at
seventh birdie on a round Graeme McDowell, Bubba Bay Hill. This could be a big
that will be remembered Watson, Patrick Rodgers week for him in other ways.
more for the shot Lefty tried and Billy Horschel. The British Open returns to
to play right-handed . British Open champion Northern Ireland this sum-
“It didn’t turn out the best,” Francesco Molinari made mer for the first time since
Mickelson said after rallying one of two aces on the 1951, and Bay Hill for the
for a 68. day — the other belonged first time is part of the Open
Thanks to the new Rules of to D.A. Points — and was Qualifying Series. The top
Golf, it could have been among those at 69. three players not already
worse. Defending champion Rory exempt from the top 10 at
Mickelson, who won at Bay McIlroy opened with a 72. Bay Hill will get into Royal
Hill in 1997, was cruising Cabrera Bello opened with Portrush. “I only found that
along until his tee shot on four birdies in six holes in out on Tuesday, to be hon-
the 10th hole went well to the morning chill, and he est with you,” McDowell
the left and settled under a put together another run of said. “But, listen, I’m focus-
mesh fence that was out- birdies on the front nine that ing really on the big picture
of-bounds, with just enough included consecutive putts right now. I’m kind of the
of the ball inside the stakes from the 30-foot range. The opinion that good golf will
that he could try to play it. rest of the Spaniard’s putts take care of the things that
Of course, he did. were from 6 feet or closer. I want to take care of. And
Standing on the other side “I really didn’t know what it’s hard enough going out
of the fence, his best play to expect,” Cabrera Bel- there trying to get your golf
was to invert a 9-iron and lo said. “I know how nice ball around 18 holes here
try to smash it right-handed and tough the course is at this great golf course
through the mesh netting. and I think it’s a course and just trying to stay in the
“I was able to get clear — I with many, many daunting moment.”
thought — clean contact shots. So I feel the more you Justin Rose, who has a
on it from a right-handed play it, probably the better. chance to return to No.
shot perspective,” he said. So I wasn’t really having 1 in the world this week,
“I thought I hit it pretty Rafa Cabrera Bello, of Spain, watches his shot from the 18th much high expectations as opened with a 71.
good.” fairway during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational opposed to just getting out Jason Day, the last player
He looked up toward the golf tournament Thursday, March 7, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. there and playing my golf.” to win at Bay Hill before
green and was surprised Associated Press Saunders had a 73 and was Palmer died in 2016, with-
to see the ball a few feet along for the ride with Ca- drew after six holes be-
in front of him. By hitting from the same spot under from 30 feet to salvage a brera Bello, who capped cause of a back injury. Day
the mesh fence, it rolled the fence. The new rule for double bogey. off his round with a 10-foot was coming off a three-
up and snagged the ball, a stroke-and-distance pen- “That definitely helped,” par putt. week break.q

Walters, Arnaus share 1st-round lead at Qatar Masters

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Justin erboard. Another 18 play- really good round and, as play most of the time and set to take at least a share
Walters of South Africa and ers shot a 69. “Warming conditions improve, I hope gave myself good looks. of the lead but had late
Spanish rookie Adri Arnaus up today in the wind I was to keep going the way I I was able to take advan- back-to-back bogeys in
mastered the tricky winds thinking anything under par am.”Arnaus eagled the tage of those, so I’m pretty an inconsistent round that
at the Doha Golf Club on would be a great score, so 18th hole for the best open- pleased.” Nicolas Colsaerts started with an eagle and
Thursday to sit tied for the to go five under I’m ecstat- ing round of his first Euro- of Belgium, South African also included five birdies.
first-round lead at the Qa- ic,” Walters said. “I wouldn’t pean Tour season, while duo George Coetzee and The final three players had
tar Masters. Walters and Ar- want to play in three more Walters had five birdies in a Justin Harding, and Richie their round suspended by
naus both carded a 5-un- days of this. ... I came here bogey-free round. Ramsay of Scotland were darkness while on the last
der 67 to sit one shot clear today and thought ‘an- “It was a lot of fun,” Arnaus among the players who hole, including Lucas Her-
of a group of seven players other day in the wind,’ so said. “The wind picked up were one stroke behind the bert of Australia, who was
on a tightly packed lead- it’s nice to get away with a early but we kept the ball in leaders. Ramsay looked on 3 under.q