Adam Scott ties Bay Hill course record with opening 62

Masters champion Adam Scott tied the course record with an opening round of 62 to take an early lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.

The Australian, 33, made seven birdies, two eagles and one bogey to move to 10 under par at Bay Hill.

Scott finished three shots ahead of Japan's Ryo Ishikawa and American John Merrick in second place.

England's Paul Casey and Welshman Jamie Donaldson also made strong starts with five-under par 67s.

Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell were four under and European number one Henrik Stenson three under.

Scott is closing in on Tiger Woods at the top of the world rankings but cannot overtake the American, who was forced to miss the event with a back injury, this week.

"I'm really thrilled with the start today," said the world number two.

"I don't know where it came from but the putter certainly got hot. Today was just one of those days where the hole was like a bucket."

Andy Bean in 1981 and Greg Norman in 1984 are the only other players to have shot a 62 at Bay Hill.

English amateur Matthew Fitzpatrick, 19, from Sheffield, hit 71 with three birdies and two bogeys.

"I felt quite composed, I didn't get down or get too upbeat," he said.