Arnold Palmer Invitational: Daniel Berger leads by three shots as Rory McIlroy struggles at Bay Hill

Daniel Berger hit an opening round of nine under to take a three-shot lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The 32-year-old has suffered a series of injuries – including a back problem that sidelined him for 18 months – and broke his finger at the BMW Championship in August last year.

But after returning to full fitness, the American made six birdies on the back nine en route to shooting 63 – one short of the course record at Bay Hill.

“I think the biggest thing for me is to get a little bit of rhythm,” Berger said. “When you come back [from injury]you just kind of get back into the flow of things and get into your routine.

“I played really not that bad, and I didn’t get the results. You just keep doing the same things and good things will come, so that’s where I feel I’m at.”

A double bogey on the thirteenth hole, followed by drop shots on the fourteenth and eighteenth holes, proved costly for Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy as he had to settle for an even round.

World number one Scottie Scheffler is two, alongside England’s Justin Rose.

Swede Ludvig Aaberg hit a long eagle putt on 12 as a strong finish left him three shots behind Berger at six under.

Collin Morikawa, the former Open Championship champion, also scored 66 points to beat his American compatriot Cameron Young and Venezuelan Jonathan Vegas.