Arnold Palmer Invitational: Rory & Rickie Ready for Sunday Charge

With solid 3rd rounds at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, McIlroy and Fowler are both in the Sunday mix.

Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler put themselves into the mix in the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational with low rounds.

With Friday leader Charley Hoffman failing to advance and Emiliano Grillo taking a nine on the 6^th hole, plenty of golfers were willing to step in and take advantage of the situation, including McIlroy and Fowler.

McIlroy posted a 7-under par 65 with no bogeys and seven birdies, including on the 17^th and 18^th holes, two of the most difficult on the course.

“The conditions changed, I think, a little bit,” McIlroy said after his round. The first and second rounds were during days that started very chilly with golf balls not traveling as far as they typically do.

However, Saturday will be a beautiful day for any outdoor activity. McIlroy, noting that the wind was also down Saturday, is ready to take advantage of improved conditions.

"Today, it presented us with an opportunity to go low. I just played better. I gave myself a lot of looks and holed some putts, which was nice to see."

He added that the low score was something he’d been waiting for and expecting. He finished 6-under, at least a dozen shots off the lead, but was not disheartened.

"If I’m four or five or six back, at least I’m in with a shot. And if I get off to a fast start, I’ll be right in there."

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Rickie Fowler was the coal mine canary for low scores today. He posted a 65 early in the day with a double at the third, seven birdies and an eagle at the par five 16^th.

The low light of his round was on the third where he put his tee ball in the water and took a double. The most interesting was the 11^th where he played his third shot from the water, barefoot, with rolled up pant legs. He joked about it after the round in his interview with the media.

"I wanted to keep the green pants clean. Really unfortunate it didn’t go in, perfect shot. I was just glad to get it out. I wanted to just get a look for four and nice to have a kick in for four there."

Fowler is at 5-under par, in 11^th place. He will need another great round and some help from the field. However, Fowler put this week in perspective when he chose to honor Arnold Palmer with his apparel choices and by having special Palmer-decorated shoes made for the week. One pair is being auctioned, and he’s donating the left shoe from this week to Bay Hill and keeping the right one for himself.

He’s also doing some Arnie-like things, including signing autographs in Palmer’s office.

"It’s been a special week. It’s very different not having him around, but I feel like viewing and the fans out, it’s just going to continue to get bigger and this could potentially be the biggest week I think they could have here, just with the excitement of the tournament and kind of the celebration of Arnie’s life."

While it’s typically difficult to follow a low round with another low round, it’s not impossible. Should the leaders come back due to final round nerves, McIlroy and Fowler are in position to pounce.

Next: The Pros Remember . . . 'How I first met Arnie'

Can McIlroy or Fowler close the deal on Sunday? Who are you liking for the win and the red cardigan at the 2017 Arnold Palmer Invitational?

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