ORLANDO, Fla. — Collin Morikawa returned to Bay Hill with a mission after a year marked by struggle. The 2022 Arnold Palmer Invitational left him with disappointment in the form of an 80 and back-to-back missed cuts. However, upon arrival at this year’s prestigious event, Morikawa had his mind set on his current form, leaving the past behind.
Bay Hill continues to be a formidable challenge, but Morikawa appears to be regaining the form that made him a two-time major champion. On Saturday, he sank a crucial 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th, carding a 5-under 67. This performance earned him a one-stroke lead over Russell Henley heading into the final round.
“This course exposes your weaknesses if you’re not playing well. You can’t fake it here,” Morikawa stated. The course conditions proved challenging, with three days of sunlight making the greens exceptionally fast. The only blemish on Morikawa’s round was a missed 5-foot par putt on the 14th, marking his sole bogey over a 45-hole stretch. His six birdies highlighted his solid play as he headed into the final day, aiming to capture his first PGA Tour win in 17 months.
Meanwhile, Henley, starting strong with a long bunker shot for birdie on the first hole and compiling a string of four consecutive birdies on the back nine, posted a 67, placing him one shot behind. Canadian golfer Corey Conners missed the fairway on the 18th hole, leading to a bogey and a score of 69, leaving him two strokes back.
Despite the lack of significant wind and a few clouds, the heat and persistent sunshine created a golden glow over the course. Birdie putts, even from reasonable distances, frequently slid well past the hole. Shane Lowry, the 36-hole leader, fell victim to this, watching a 25-foot birdie attempt roll 7 feet beyond.
Lowry managed a score of 76, dropping him six shots off the pace. Rory McIlroy also struggled, bogeying three of his last four holes, resulting in a 73 and positioning him seven shots behind. Scottie Scheffler, attempting to stay in the hunt, found birdies challenging to come by. A front-pin location and dry green on the 13th proved troublesome, leading to a bogey after landing in the rocks, ultimately concluding with a 71, eight shots from the lead.
Morikawa’s 10-under 206 emphasized the necessity of precision. “You must deliver quality shots,” Morikawa commented. “The course can catch you off-guard from any angle.” The final stretch saw Morikawa, Henley, and Conners exchange positions at the top. Morikawa was the only one to avoid a bogey over the last four holes. His conservative play on the par-5 16th set up a 6-foot birdie putt, and his delicate touch secured a birdie on the final hole.
Every swing required thoughtful execution to stay competitive. “Some pin locations have me putting quite defensively,” noted Henley.
Jason Day, despite an initial 76, clawed back with an impressive 64 on Friday and a dynamic 69 on Saturday. After three closing consecutive bogeys on the front nine, he regained momentum with three straight birdies, including a 20-footer on the 17th.
Day remarked on the challenging conditions: “The greens were getting slick. You notice the change in their color.”
Michael Kim carded a 67, powered by two eagles on the back nine, tying him with Tony Finau (68) at 5-under 205. Kim, not yet exempt for the Masters, has a significant incentive to win.
Morikawa, who last found victory in October 2023 at the Zozo Championship in Japan, is looking to rediscover his winning touch after reuniting with his coach Rick Sessinghaus. His characteristic fade shot is proving advantageous, offering more opportunities. Reflecting on his winless streak, Morikawa quipped, “Thank you for detailing the exact days. I’m sure you could calculate it down to the hours and minutes.”
Ultimately, the final day’s 18 holes bring their own set of challenges, with stress looming every step of the way.
