Henrik Stenson has finished in the top 10 four times in the Arnold Palmer Invitational in recent years, including second behind Matt Every in 2015, but has never won it. He will get another chance on Sunday.
The 41-year-old Swede overcame two bogeys on the back nine to post a 1-under-par 71 and take a one-stroke lead over Bryson DeChambeau into the final round at Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Fla.
“It wouldn’t be the only tournament where you feel like you’ve got some unfinished business, but I’ve been up in the mix a few times and we’re here again, so of course I would like to see a different outcome,” said Stenson, who won the 2016 Open Championship at Royal Troon, one of his 20 victories as a pro, including six PGA Tour titles.
“I could have a two- or three-shot lead, which would have been a nice cushion … I’m back here trying to give it a go tomorrow.”
Stenson, who has held at least a share of the lead after each of the first three rounds, recorded a 54-hole score of 12-under 204.
DeChambeau, from Clovis in California’s San Joaquin Valley, carded a 72 in round three after starting the day tied for the lead with Stenson.
“We’ve got a lot of guys behind me, so I’ve got to go deep tomorrow,” said DeChambeau, who claimed his first PGA Tour last year in the John Deere Classic.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland sank a nine-foot eagle putt on the 12th hole en route to a 67 and is two shots back in third, while fifth-ranked Justin Rose of England also shot 67 and is one more back in a tie for fourth with Ryan Moore, who totaled 69.
Seventh-ranked Rickie Fowler of Murrieta was near the lead before finishing bogey-double bogey to card a 70 and is four down in a tie for sixth with Charley Hoffman of Poway, who had a 71, Byeong Hun An of South Korea, who totaled 72, and Talor Gooch, who finished at 73.
Tiger Woods, who has won a record eight times at Bay Hill, collected six birdies and three bogeys in a 69 and is five strokes down in a tie for 10th with Bud Cauley who shot 70, Grayson Murray, who finished at 69, and Patrick Reed, who wound up at 71.
“I’m gonna have to shoot a low one tomorrow, and probably get a little bit of help,” said Woods, playing in his fifth official event after a fourth back surgery. “But my responsibility is to shoot a low one.”
Tenth-ranked Jason Day of Australia, who won the tournament in 2016, is tied for 18th after a 67, defending champion Marc Leishman of Australia shot 73 and is in a tie for 35th that includes sixth-ranked Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, who finished at 71, while two-time Bay Hill champ Ernie Els of South Africa totaled 75 and is tied for 44th.
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