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Collin Morikawa pulled a 67 under the word to open an advance at a blow to the Arnold Palmer Invitational of the PGA Tour in Florida on Saturday.
The double major champion, which has continued its first tournament victory since October 2023, spoke of two birdies in its last three holes to deviate from a crowded field at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando.
California’s world number five in California has wrapped six birdies and a single Bogey in a sparkling tower that left it alone on 10 under 54 holes.
Morikawa’s Barnstorming finish started on the 16th by five, when he struck a superb approach drawn at six feet before looking at his stefe to bend around the cup lip before moving to nine sous.
He almost claimed the solo possession of the head of the 17th par-three, but this time had to settle for a peer while his 11 feet putt was destroyed.
Morikawa did not have to wait long to get away from the field. After reaching green in two on the 18th, he coldly rolled in an 11 feet so that Birdie takes the lead.
He marked a welcome in shape for Morikawa who experienced difficulties during his last two visits to Bay Hill, missing the Cup occasionally.
Morikawa says that a more controlled game was the foundation of its resurgence this week.
“You have to hit good shots here,” he said. “I felt like I had more control during the first three days and that I must continue to stick to this match plan tomorrow. It is really patient and agree with the two easy shots that you will be able to draw for the peer.
“On a course like this, just have a complete control of your golf ball – and that’s what it will take tomorrow,” added the winner of British Open 2021.
– Lowry, McILroy Stumble –
Russell Henley will lead the pursuit of Morikawa on Sunday after shooting a third round 67 which left him alone on Nine Under, a shot in front of Corey Conners from Canada which has eight sous after having carded a 69 on Saturday.
The Jason Day of Australia was in the meantime after having made a clicking in a hat-trick of Birdies on its last three holes for a 69 of fewer sub-hosters which dropped it to seven sous, three of the head.
The day could have been even closer to Morikawa if it was not for three consecutive bogeys on the seventh, eighth and ninth holes before its late load.
“In the middle of my round, I made it go a bit aside. Three Bogeys are certainly not what you want,” said Day.
“A little stopped the ship after that, which was good. Finishing with three birdies is pretty good.”
Michael Kim and Tony Finau are five in advance on Five Under, while Andrew Novak, Sepp Straka and the leader of the second round Shane Lowry are equally for seventh out of four sous.
Lowry, which started the two shots away from the field, dropped in the ranking after a capricious 76 which included two Bogeys and two double bogeys.
Rory McILroy of Northern Ireland also abandoned the ranking after having published a 73 on the page, leaving him seven on three sous.
The Tour of McILroy took place in the section with three Bogeys on his last four holes.
RCW / SEV
