Daniel Berger shoots 63 to lead Arnold Palmer Invitational

Swede Ludvig Åberg in close pursuit with opening-round 66

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Daniel Berger fired a bogey-free 9-under 63 to take the first-round lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida. Collin Morikawa and Jhonattan Vegas are among the players within a few shots of Berger. Meanwhile, Ludvig Åberg, a rising young Swedish star, shot a 66 to put himself in contention.

Why it matters

The Arnold Palmer Invitational is one of the PGA Tour's premier events, and a strong performance here can be a springboard for players looking to have a breakthrough season. Berger's low round comes a year after he squandered a late lead at Bay Hill, while Åberg is seeking his first win at this prestigious tournament.

The details

Berger's 63 was the lowest round at Bay Hill since Adam Scott's 62 in 2014. He was superb tee-to-green and on the greens, leading the field in strokes gained off the tee and ranking second in strokes gained on approach shots. Åberg, playing in the afternoon wave, overcame a brief stumble with back-to-back bogeys by draining a 25-foot eagle putt on the par-5 12th hole. Several other top players, including Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas, struggled with the challenging conditions at Bay Hill.

  • Berger's round of 63 was posted in the morning wave on Thursday, March 6, 2026.
  • Åberg's 66 was shot in the afternoon on Thursday, March 6, 2026.

The players

Daniel Berger

A 32-year-old American professional golfer who has won four times on the PGA Tour, including the 2021 Charles Schwab Challenge. He is seeking his first victory at the prestigious Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Ludvig Åberg

A 26-year-old Swedish professional golfer who has won twice on the PGA Tour since joining in 2023. He is considered a rising star on tour and a victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational could be a breakthrough moment in his career.

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What they’re saying

“I've been playing really well. It's one shot here, one shot there that kind of doesn't go your way.”

— Daniel Berger (bellinghamherald.com)

“It was definitely a good day. I was rolling it nicely on the greens. I was hitting fairways. Felt like I was not trying to be overly aggressive. I wasn't trying to be conservative either. But it was tricky with the crosswind.”

— Ludvig Åberg (bellinghamherald.com)

What’s next

Berger and Åberg will look to maintain their strong play on Friday as the conditions at Bay Hill are expected to become more challenging with increased winds. A victory at the prestigious Arnold Palmer Invitational would be a significant accomplishment for either player.

The takeaway

The opening round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational featured a mix of low scores in the morning and tougher conditions in the afternoon, with Daniel Berger and Ludvig Åberg emerging as the early leaders. This tournament is a true test of golf and a strong performance here can propel players to new heights on the PGA Tour.