He began the day three shots behind 36-hole leader Shane Lowry, but the Irishman struggled at Bay Hill, opening the door for Morikawa and others to move up the leaderboard. Lowry sat at 8-under at the midway point but dropped two shots on his first two holes — a harbinger of things to come.

Morikawa shot a five-under 67 to take a one-shot lead on Saturday, while a forecast of gusty winds awaits Sunday.