Scottie Scheffler and Shane Lowry ended Saturday's round at Bay Hill with a share of the lead at 9-under 207. Scheffler, the current world No. 1, showcased an impressive putting performance, one-putting his final seven greens, including four for birdie, to card a 2-under 70. Lowry also finished strong with two late birdies, one of which was a 30-foot putt on the par-3 17th, also carding a 70.
U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark sits one shot behind the leaders after a solid round. Will Zalatoris, who had a five-shot lead at one point, stumbled with two double bogeys on the final five holes, allowing others to catch up. Rory McIlroy made a significant move with a remarkable back-nine performance, including driving the par-4 10th hole, a 401-yard dogleg right, with a 365-yard tee shot.
Zalatoris had a strong start with a 32 on the front nine but faltered towards the end, finishing with a 71. Despite his struggles, he remains in contention, just two shots behind the leaders. Clark also had a rollercoaster round with two double bogeys on the front nine but managed to stay in the mix with birdies and an eagle.
The challenging conditions at Bay Hill have tested the players, with the tropical weather resembling March and the course setup feeling like a U.S. Open in June. Scheffler, who had a rare four bogeys in his round, emphasized the importance of patience and solid putting to navigate the tough course.
As the final round approaches, the leaderboard remains tightly packed, setting the stage for an exciting finish at Bay Hill. With top players like Scheffler, Lowry, Zalatoris, and McIlroy in contention, Sunday promises to deliver thrilling golf action.
Stay tuned for the conclusion of the tournament to see who will emerge victorious at the prestigious Bay Hill event.
