Collin Morikawa shot a five-under-par 67 to maneuver right into a one-shot lead after the third spherical on the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The world quantity 5 drained six birdies, together with a putt from virtually 12 ft on the final gap, to enhance to 10 beneath general.
That nudged Morikawa one shot away from fellow American Russell Henley, who additionally fired a 67 at Bay Hill in Orlando on Saturday.
Canada’s Corey Conners trails Morikawa by two strokes heading into Sunday’s last spherical, with Australia’s Jason Day a shot additional again in fourth.
Ireland’s Shane Lowry began the day with a two-shot lead over Wyndham Clark however slipped down the leaderboard, with a four-over 76 leaving him six adrift on 4 beneath.
Clark dropped again too, with the American additionally settling for 76 and falling to a tie for thirteenth.
Northern Eire’s Rory McIlroy was one other who misplaced floor, along with his one-over 73 leaving the world quantity two in a tie for tenth with England’s Aaron Rai and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre.
Henley made an announcement by beginning the again 9 with 4 consecutive birdies, whereas Conners slipped again with a dropped shot on the 18th gap.
Michael Kim (67) and Tony Finau (68) moved into considerably distant rivalry at 5 beneath, whereas Andrew Novak loved the very best spherical of the day as a bogey-free 65 moved him to 4 beneath.
Morikawa has not gained on the PGA Tour since October 2023, and the 28-year-old has skilled combined fortunes on this course previously, recalling earlier missed cuts following his spherical on Saturday.
“I’ve come to this occasion not taking part in nice beforehand,” mentioned the two-time main winner, “and it is a course that for those who’re not taking part in nice it may present.
“It is simply a kind of that you could’t faux it. However this was considered one of my first skilled begins as an beginner, I performed in 2017, and I like the golf course.
“On a course like this you simply must have full management of your golf ball, so that is what it may take tomorrow.”
He added: “I might say the fellows which might be successful on a continuing foundation, they’re taking part in free, and that is how I will exit tomorrow.”
