Matthew Fitzpatrick holds 54-hole lead at Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard

ORLANDO – Matthew Fitzpatrick managed to avoid bogeys on a Bay Hill course so firm he could barely find any pitch marks on the greens. It led to a 5-under 67 and a one-shot lead over Rory McIlroy going into the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard. McIlroy, who has never successfully defended any of his 22 victories worldwide, birdied three of his last four holes for a 66. This will be the third time in five events this year that he plays in the last group. Fitzpatrick, who has five European Tour victories, was at 9-under 207. So demanding was Bay Hill that it was the highest 54-hole score to lead this tournament since Ben Crenshaw was at 210 in 1993.

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