Arnold Palmer Invitational:Tiger Woods hit a purple patch with four birdies on the spin on the back nine to get within two shots of the overnight lead, while Pádraig Harrington finished two shots further back after the opening day of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, Florida.

Five-time winner Woods and Harrington were paired together and Woods was immediately into action as he pitched in for birdie at the opening hole.

The world number one gave shots back with a double bogey seven at the sixth before he found his range on the back nine.

The run of birdies began at the 11th, and although he dropped a shot at the par three 17th before signing for a 68, the world number one, looks more dangerous with each round he gets under his belt.

Harrington had a mixed bag that contained three birdies and as many dropped shots in a round of 70. The 25 foot par putt he holed at the last will have ensured he ended the day on a high note.

Graeme McDowell started at the 10th and quickly picked up a birdie at the 12th, his third. However a run of three bogeys from the 14th threatened to derail his round.

The 29-year-old struggled to find any momentum, and though he returned in one-under, with three birdies and one dropped shot, he signed for an opening 71.

Tim Herron, Jeff Overton and Jason Gore lead the way on four-under after the trio shot opening 66’s.