ORLANDO, Fla. — Will Zalatoris was in command, bogey-free and turning the Arnold Palmer Invitational into a runaway.

But nobody gets too far these days at Bay Hill before the golf course trips them up.

Zalatoris exited the 18th hole battered, bruised and holding a tattered scorecard following a pair of double-bogeys on the final four holes. A five-shot lead became a two-deficit, with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and 36-hole co-leader Shane Lowry tied at 9-under-par 207 total.

“That’s just Bay Hill,” Zalatoris said. “It’s just such a beast.”

All is not lost for Zalatoris or a host of big-name players as a wild, windy, chaotic moving day set the stage for yet another scintillating Sunday at Bay Hill.

“I’m still in the ballgame, as frustrating as it is to finish up that way,” the 27-year-old said.

A battle of attrition or Arnold Palmer-like Sunday charge now could decide the 46th edition of his tournament at Bay Hill.

“I didn’t think anyone was going to run away with it,” said reigning U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark, who is a shot back at 8-under.

The past four API champions prevailed by a stroke, beginning with 2020 winner Tyrrell Hatton who carded a tournament-record-high 4-under-par 284. The two prior winners closed with 8-under 64s, including Rory McIlroy in 2018.

McIlroy pulled within striking distance at 5-under after his best-ever back nine at Bay Hill, a 6-under 30 to complete a Saturday 68.

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