American duo edge in front

Holmes and Love one clear at Bay Hill

Holmes: confident display

First round leaderboard:
(US unless stated)
J.B Holmes -6
D Love III -6
H Stenson (Swe) -5
M Weir (Can) -5

JB Holmes and Davis Love III share the lead at six-under-par after the opening round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The American duo both signed for 66s at Bay Hill and are one clear of Sweden's Henrik Stenson and Canadian Mike Weir.

Holmes, needing a top-four finish if he is to have any chance of securing himself a place inside the world's top 50 and an invite to the Masters, had four birdies and an eagle at the par-five 12th to set the early clubhouse target.

"Overall it was a great day. I hit the ball well. I think I hit 17 greens, and I putted pretty well, too," he said.

"I made a couple of long putts, and that definitely helped. I feel great with the putter in my hand."

Love, who needs a victory to earn an invite to the first major of the season at the Augusta National in two weeks' time, later joined Holmes at the top of the leaderboard.

The 45-year-old opened with a bogey but then sandwiched an eagle at the par-five fourth with four birdies.

He mixed three further birdies with two bogeys to raise hopes of a 21st PGA Tour title - and first since November 2008.

Stenson heads the European challenge at five under alongside Weir, while rejuvenated South African Ernie Els is part of a four-man group a shot further back at four-under-par.

World number two Steve Stricker, the highest ranked player in the field due to the continued absence of Tiger Woods, is one of nine players well-placed on three under following a 69.