Morikawa rallies, posts 1-shot lead

MIAMI (AFP) — Collin Morikawa fired a five-under-par 67 to open up a one-shot lead at the PGA Tour’s Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida on Saturday.

The two-time major champion, who is chasing his first tournament win since October 2023, conjured two birdies in his final three holes to edge clear of a crowded field at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando.

The 28-year-old world No. 5 from California reeled off six birdies and only one bogey in a scintillating round that left him alone on 10 under through 54 holes.

Morikawa’s barnstorming finish began on the par-five 16th, when he hit a superb approach shot to six feet before watching his birdie putt curl around the lip of the cup before dropping in to move to nine under.

He almost claimed solo possession of the lead on the par-three 17th, but this time had to settle for a par as his 11-foot birdie putt lipped out.

Morikawa did not have long to wait to edge clear of the field though. After reaching the green in two on the 18th, he coolly rolled in an 11-footer for birdie to take the lead.

It marked a welcome return to form for Morikawa who has struggled on his last two visits to Bay Hill, missing the cut on both occasions.

Morikawa says a more controlled game has been the bedrock of his resurgence this week.

“You have to hit good shots out here,” he said.

“I felt like I had more control for the first three days and just gotta keep sticking to that game plan tomorrow. It’s really being patient and being okay with the easy two-putt that you’re going to be able to tap in for par.”

“On a course like this you just have to have complete control of your golf ball — and that’s what it’s going to take tomorrow,” the 2021 British Open winner added.

Russell Henley will head the pursuit of Morikawa on Sunday after shooting a third round 67 that has left him alone on nine under, one shot ahead of Canada’s Corey Conners who is on eight under after carding a 69 on Saturday.

Australia’s Jason Day, meanwhile, thrust himself into contention after rattling in a hat-trick of birdies on his final three holes for a three-under-par 69 that dropped him to seven under, three off the lead.

Day might have been even closer to Morikawa had it not been for three straight bogeys on the seventh, eighth and ninth holes before his late charge.

“Through the middle part of my round, I had it going sideways a little bit. Three bogeys is definitely not what you want,” Day said.

“Kind of steadied the ship after that, which was nice. Finishing with three birdies is pretty good.”

Michael Kim and Tony Finau are five off the lead on five under, while Andrew Novak, Sepp Straka and second round leader Shane Lowry are tied for seventh on four under.

Lowry, who started the day two shots clear of the field, tumbled down the leaderboard after a wayward 76 that included two bogeys and two double bogeys.

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy also dropped down the leaderboard after posting a one-over-par 73, leaving him seven adrift on three under.

McIlroy’s round unravelled down the stretch with three bogeys on his final four holes.