(Orlando) Scottie Scheffler was losing ground and the lead at Bay Hill, and he wasn’t the only one in that situation at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
It was a great day to exercise patience, not only because of the very firm greens and strong gusts, but also because Will Zalatoris almost escaped after building a five-shot lead.
Scheffler was six shots behind when he left the green on 11e. But once the third round was over, he shared the lead with Shane Lowry, saved by his putter and a lot of help from Zalatoris.
No. 1 in the world, Scheffler only needed a putt on each of his last seven holes, including four for birdies, to put back a card of 70, two shots under par. Lowry also bounced back on the back nine with two birdies at the end of the round, to also post a card of 70.
The two golfers have a cumulative score of minus-9 at 207, one shot ahead of Wyndham Clark, leader after two rounds, who shot 71.
All three have Zalatoris to thank though. He, who led by five strokes at one point, made two double bogeys in the last five holes, which allowed everyone to stay in the game. He finished with a card of 71, which places him tied for fourth place with Russell Henley (72) and Hideki Matsuyama (72).
Four Canadians are still in the running.
Corey Connors moved up six spots to tie with four other golfers for 11e place with a card of 71. Nick Taylor lost 10 places by playing 74. he is tied at 20e rank.
Mackenzie Hughes is tied for 39the rank after playing 71. Adam Hadwin, however, handed in a card of 76 and slipped 14 places, tied at 53e place.
The tournament will conclude on Sunday.
With The Canadian Press