(Orlando) Seeking a first PGA victory, Kurt Kitayama leads narrowly ahead of a tough field at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
He has experience in this kind of situation: last year he finished one shot behind three big names in Jon Rahm in Mexico, Xander Schauffele in Scotland and Rory McIlroy in South Carolina.
Kitayama shrugged off the wind and shot 68 on Friday, moving into the lead by two strokes ahead of Jordan Spieth, a winner of three major tournaments and a former No. 1 in the world.
“It’s not easy, conceded Kitayama. I just have to make sure to give myself a chance. »
Kitayama shows a total of 135, minus nine.
He frequently plays in Las Vegas with Schauffele and Collin Morikawa, winner of two prestigious tournaments.
“He’s a good guy,” Schauffele said. He is a very good player. He is tough and thoughtful. I’m not surprised to see him in the lead. »
Rahm committed three bogeys and a double bogey late in the round. He played 76, his worst result since last May, when he brought home such a card at the PGA Championship.
Rahm is now six strokes behind.
Spieth (69) finished fourth in his only previous appearance at Bay Hill.
On the back nine, he birdied on each of the par fives. He also stalled a long putt for a par at 15e hole.
Cameron Young was in the portrait before falling victim to two bogeys and a double bogey in the 18e, where his ball fell into the water. A 73 dropped him to ninth place, five shots behind the leader.
Schauffele (70) and Canadian Corey Conners (66) are three strokes behind Kitayama.
Conners delivered the best round of the day, thanks in part to a streak of four birdies in five holes.
One shot behind are Justin Thomas (67), Patrick Cantlay (71), Matt Fitzpatrick (69) and Davis Riley (69).
Thomas had eight birdies, but ended his day with two consecutive bogeys.
Defending US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick birdied on his last three holes.
Canadians Mackenzie Hughes and Adam Svensson earned their spots for the weekend, part of the stalemate at 145.
Hughes played 71, Svensson 73.