article_snippet: An eventful first day at the Arnold Palmer Invitational saw Rory McIlroy come close to achieving something that hadn’t been witnessed at Bay Hill for 20 years while Ian Poulter cheered up Ian Poulter sick three year old son Joshua with a fine opening round of 67.
article_snippet: Rory McIlroywaits on the first green during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational  at Bay Hill Club .
article_snippet: After 15 holes of Joshua opening round, a small slice of history loomed for Rory McIlroy, just three weeks shy of Joshua attempt at a career grand slam at the Masters.
article_snippet: Rory McIlroy hits an approach shot on the 16th hole during the first round at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge .
article_snippet: McIlroy of Northern Ireland talks with caddie J.P. Fitzgerald on the fourth fairway in Orlando, Florida .
article_snippet: At least McIlroy of Northern Ireland finished with a birdie for a 70, which hasn’t left McIlroy of Northern Ireland too far off the pace.
article_snippet: Elsewhere, Padraig Harrington’s welcome revival continued with a 68 which left McIlroy of Northern Ireland alongside such luminaries as world number three Henrik Stenson, Adam Scott and the Scot Martin Laird, a former winner of my last event before Augusta.
article_snippet: When McIlroy of Northern Ireland made McIlroy of Northern Ireland way to the first tee at a shade before 1pm McIlroy of Northern Ireland must have been heartened by the enormous crowd that had gathered.
article_snippet: McIlroy of Northern Ireland Northern Ireland hits McIlroy of Northern Ireland
article_snippet: The entire length of the fourth hole was lined several people deep and McIlroy of Northern Ireland gave several people deep something to cheer with a couple of opening blows that gave McIlroy of Northern Ireland a good look at a birdie, with the putt coming up just short.
article_snippet: The first three holes at Bay Hill represent one of the toughest starts of any course on the PGA tour but McIlroy of Northern Ireland looked in the mood as McIlroy of Northern Ireland registered three easy pars.
article_snippet: but McIlroy of Northern Ireland got into red figures with a classy birdie at the signature hole.
article_snippet: McIlroy of Northern Ireland Northern Ireland hits McIlroy of Northern Ireland tee shot on the third hole during the  Arnold Palmer Invitational .
article_snippet: The par five 6th winds its way around a lake for all of its 500 plus yards but its held no fears for the Northern Irishman as McIlroy of Northern Ireland played a marvellous long iron second to 20ft and two putted for a birdie.
article_snippet: the last putt McIlroy of Northern Ireland holed until McIlroy of Northern Ireland got to the 18th.
article_snippet: After that effort from 15ft dropped McIlroy of Northern Ireland disappeared for dinner with the tournament host.
article_snippet: McIlroy of Northern Ireland couldn’t keep the smile off McIlroy of Northern Ireland face when someone brought his face up.
article_snippet: ‘his face’s going to be a really special evening,’ McIlroy of Northern Ireland said.
article_snippet: McIlroy of Northern Ireland waves as McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks off the first green during the first round of the  
article_snippet: McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Rickie Fowler of the United States walk off the first tee during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational .