Daniel Berger leads the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but Akshay Bhatia has reduced the gap. Rory McIlroy was forced to withdraw on Saturday.
Bhatia Closes in on Berger
Akshay Bhatia closed the gap on Daniel Berger at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Berger remains the leader at 13 under par. Bhatia is only one shot behind.
Bhatia claimed a birdie on the 18th to finish with a four-under 68, while Berger went round in 72. The leaders completed their third round on Sunday.
Sepp Straka, Cameron Young and Collin Morikawa were all in the clubhouse on Saturday on nine under. They will go into the final round sharing third place.
McIlroy Withdraws Due to Back Spasms
Rory McIlroy was forced to withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Saturday. Before the third round, McIlroy was in a share of ninth place. He was nine shots back.
McIlroy suffered spasms in his lower back before starting his round. The PGA Tour announced McIlroy’s exit about 30 minutes before his tee time.
McIlroy said he felt a small twinge in his back while warming up in the gym. He said it worsened as he started hitting balls and developed into muscle spasms. He said he was unable to continue.
- McIlroy had moved to four under on Friday with a round of 68.
- He had shot level par on Thursday.
- McIlroy had birdied four of the first seven holes on the back nine.
He had said he was “really pleased” and had played a “controlled, patient round of golf”.
It is only the second time McIlroy has withdrawn from a PGA event mid-competition. The first was at the Cognizant Classic at the Palm Beaches in 2013.
Hall and Scheffler’s Positions
Harry Hall is tied for ninth. He is on six under, after his four-under-par 68.
Scottie Scheffler is at three under.
The third round had to be completed on Sunday as play at Bay Hill in Orlando was suspended on Saturday because of darkness.
The fourth round is due to start at about 9.30am local time (14:30 GMT).
McIlroy is due to defend his titles at the Players Championship at Sawgrass next week and the Masters at Augusta from 9-12 April.