Arnold Palmer Invitational: Collin Morikawa takes a lead as Shane Lowry slides in the third round

Collin Morikawa shot a five-under-pair 67 to move into a one-shot lead after the third round at Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The world number five drained six birdies, including a putt from nearly 12 meters on the last hole, to improve to 10 overall.

It pushed Morikawa One shot free of other US Russell Henley, who also fired a 67 at Bay Hill in Orlando on Saturday.

Canada’s Corey Conneers Paths Morikawa at two strokes on the way into Sunday’s final round, with Australia’s Jason Day a shot further back on the fourth.

Ireland’s Shane Lowry began the day with a two-shot lead over Wyndham Clark, but slid down the leaderboard, with a four-over 76 leaving him six sparse on four below.

Clark also fell back, with the American also settle for 76 and fell to a draw in 13 ..

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was another who lost earth, with its one-over 73 left the second world in a draw to 10. With England’s Aaron Rai and Scotland’s Robert Macinty.

Henley made a statement by starting the back nine with four consecutive birdies, while Conners slid back with a fallen shot on the 18th hole.

Michael Kim (67) and Tony Finau (68) moved into some distant struggle of five below, while Andrew Novak enjoyed the best round of the day when a bogey-free 65 moved him to four below.

Morikawa has not won on PGA Tour since October 2023, and the 28-year-old has experienced mixed fortunes on this course in the past, remembering previously missed cuts after his round Saturday.

“I’ve come to this event that doesn’t play well earlier,” said the two-time big winner, “and it’s a course that if you don’t play big, it will turn out.

“It’s just one of those that you can’t fall into it. But this was one of my first professional starts as an amateur I played in 2017 and I love the golf course.

“On a course like this, you just need full control of your golf ball, so that’s what it will take tomorrow.”

He added, “I would say that the guys who win on a constant basis they play for free, and that’s how I have to go out tomorrow.”