The Arnold Palmer Invitational is not a Major, but sometimes it seems like it. This week, for example. It’s not a Major, but it is official with command of the praetorian guard of the four most important tournaments of the year.
The third day has not disappointed in the slightest, with a wide range of players managing with gallantry and talent the difficulties that Bay Hill presented today: the action of the wind, spicier than previous days, the greedy rough (each day it is more so) and firm greens, but somewhat hairy and difficult to interpret. It is not surprising, therefore, that only six players have managed to take the wind out of Orlando’s course and sign cards below seventy strokes. And only one, the Irishman Seamus Power, avoided all dangers and closed the round without a single bogey.
We had six co-leaders after 36 holes and only two remain. One of them, for more signs, is still the World Number One, Scottie Scheffler (-9), who, like on Friday, has made a partial of four less to the second nine of Bay Hill to take command. The other is Shane Lowry (-9), up there from the start and again, like last week, in the stellar match on Sunday. Bay Hill didn’t like him, but it seems he is starting to like it. He is one of those who is best interpreting the greens, but in general, he is showing very solid in all areas of the game.
The big move of the day was made by two men, Harris English (-6) and Rory McIlroy (-5), both with the best record of the day, respective cards of 68 strokes, a small feat. And both, of course, have earned the right to aspire to absolutely everything in the decisive round. After a somewhat hesitant first nine, Rory got on the 10th tee, dusted off the emergency plan, the ‘let’s stop messing around’ one, and aimed directly to the right with the happy idea of dodging the dog leg and getting the ball very close to the green… And he didn’t get it close, but on the very green (drive of 365 yards, almost all of them in flight). In this curious way, he started a magnificent series and a partial of six less for the second half of the course, even getting a par on the 11th after going into the water from the tee (holes 10 and 11: Roryland in essence). The Northern Irishman has invited himself to the final party, although the matter of assaulting the world throne seems a bit more complicated, as Scheffler is coming along, what a way to play his from tee to green so absolutely fabulous, with what intention he hits the ball each time. The Texan, moreover, has putted beautifully today. What more could we want.
Bay Hill has the aroma of a Major because we are going to enjoy what is a priori and undoubtedly the most powerful Sunday of the year, the most profound, considering the demand of the course and the extensive list of illustrious in the fight, with fifteen players still within a margin of five strokes. Wyndham Clark (-8), Will Zalatoris (-7), Hideki Matsuyama and Russell Henley (-7), co-leaders at the start of the day, have defended their particular trench section successfully, and only Brian Harman (-2) has faltered. Like Hovland, Theegala, Schauffele, Min Wo Lee or Straka, all of them with bulky scores. Bay Hill and the Arnold Palmer, the tournament of two faces, so kind from the ropes outwards and fearsome inside them.
