Collin Morikawa names ‘dicey’ part of Bay Hill that is the toughest he’s faced this year and will only ‘get worse’ during the final round

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Collin Morikawa has predicted Bay Hill will only get more challenging during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Morikawa is eyeing his first win since the 2023 ZOZO Championship and is one shot clear of Russell Henley. The two-time major winner shot 67 on Saturday, which included a birdie on the testing par-four 18th.

Morikawa capitalised as overnight leader Shane Lowry tumbled down the leaderboard. The Irishman shot 76 and ended the day four under. Wyndham Clark also struggled and carded the same number.

If Morikawa is to end his winless run, he must battle what promises to be an extremely stern examination during Sunday’s final round.

Collin Morikawa discusses greens at Bay Hill

With the rain staying away this week, Bay Hill’s greens have become extremely firm. Speaking during his post-round press conference, Morikawa claimed the putting surfaces are the toughest he’s faced all year.

“Yeah, I think just because there’s like no friction on the greens. [toughest he’s faced all year],” Morikawa said.

“So when you have these holes that are cut, and just say you’re just off the straight line, it moves a lot more just because it doesn’t actually hold the line. They’re so fast that you’re hitting it even softer than you normally would, so it’s just a very different way of playing. And I definitely, you know, from yesterday to today, you definitely had to adjust. With all the sun out there, it’s just going to get worse.”

• READ MORE: What Arnold Palmer said after Tiger Woods told him he wouldn’t be able to play at Bay Hill in 2015

Collin Morikawa’s 2025 PGA Tour record

Morikawa’s rise to the top of the leaderboard at Bay Hill continues what has been a solid stretch of golf for the world number five.

The American started the season with a second-place finish at The Sentry before placing 17th at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and Genesis Invitational.

A win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational would set the 28-year-old up nicely heading into The Players Championship and Masters Tournament. Morikawa finished tied for third at Augusta National 12 months ago.

Unsurprisingly, the American was pleased with his third-round effort at Arnie’s track.

“Yeah, I’m very pleased,” Morikawa added

“I could easily go back and say I left a couple of birdie putts out there on a couple of holes, but for the most part, it was fairly stress-free.

“I thought I did a really good job on the greens today, just kind of not lagging it, but just hitting good pace on the putts. You get on these greens, and they’re slippery.”