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ORLANDO, Fla. — The PGA Tour is on an absolute heater.
The ultimate spherical of the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday at Bay Hill figures to fall consistent with what has been taking place for the previous month or so, which is to say it’s going to be must-see-TV.
You need storylines?
If we requested for any extra storylines getting into the ultimate spherical, it might be gluttonous.
Kurt Kitayama, who led after 36 holes at 9-under, leads after 54 holes on the identical quantity after capturing 72 within the third spherical on Saturday, highlighted by a birdie on 18 to shut out the day.
Scottie Scheffler, the No. 2-ranked participant on this planet, the defending champion and winner of the Waste Administration Open final month in Phoenix, is tied for second with Viktor Hovland at 8-under.
On a sun-baked, 90-degree day, Scheffler shot a 4-under 68 within the third spherical. Hovland, the bright-eyed, personable Norwegian searching for the largest victory of his profession, shot a 6-under 66. Kitayama shot a 1-over 73.
These three are trailed by 2020 Arnold Palmer Invitational winner Tyrrell Hatton, who shot 66 on Saturday. Rory McIlroy, the 2018 winner right here and the No. 3-ranked participant on this planet, is 6-under after capturing 68.
McIlroy, who like Scheffler has an opportunity to overhaul Jon Rahm for the No. 1 rating by Sunday night time, has deftly shrugged off his opening-round 73 and is 7-under up to now two rounds.
Among the many gamers at 5-under and really a lot within the combine are Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. Cameron Younger, the pleasure of Sleepy Hole Nation Membership in Briarcliff Manor, can also be in rivalry at 4-under, as is Max Homa, who has been one of many up-and-coming stars of late.
After a run of current PGA Tour occasions wherein Scheffler defended his title in Phoenix, Rahm staved off Homa on the Genesis Invitational at Riviera and even the Honda Basic received final week by Chris Kirk, his first win since getting assist for his alcoholism, yet one more fascinating remaining spherical awaits Sunday at Bay Hill.
The leaderboard is positively scrumptious.
“That’s what we’re making an attempt to do right here,’’ McIlroy stated, taking a veiled shot on the rival Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour. “You will have Scottie Scheffler and Rahmbo [Rahm] in Phoenix. You had Rahmbo and Max Homa in L.A. You’ve acquired a ton of massive names up right here. It’s nice to see the large names enjoying properly and enjoying properly all on the similar golf programs in the identical tournaments.
“I feel, for a participant, for us to get that thrill of getting up, going up towards one another like week after week, that’s actually cool.’’
Of his personal sport, McIlroy stated: “Any time you possibly can go bogey-free on the weekend at Bay Hill you’re doing one thing proper. I acquired myself proper into the event, into the thick of it.’’
Hatton stated the purple cardigan, the cherished Arnold Palmer signature sweater that’s given to the API winner yearly, “is hung up proudly in my wardrobe right here in Orlando.’’
“It might clearly be superb to get a second one,’’ Hatton stated. “However there’s nonetheless 18 holes to play. I wish to assume that I’ve given myself a superb likelihood going into [Sunday]. That’s all I actually may have hoped for was to have a terrific spherical and we’ll see what occurs.
“To win this occasion, it’s such an iconic occasion for the PGA Tour, and definitely for my first win it’s fairly particular. It means loads to me … particularly after I see [the cardigan] hung up within the wardrobe I all the time have a superb feeling taking a look at it.’’
Scheffler echoed McIlroy’s public service announcement for the PGA Tour and marveled on the leaderboard.
“That’s what’s thrilling about our new schedule,’’ Scheffler stated. “I feel we’re going to have much more of these items.’’
Requested what he expects on Sunday, Scheffler stated: “One other difficult day. I feel it’s going to be a terrific battle. There’s a number of gifted gamers on the leaderboard. You bought Viktor, clearly, who performs nice round this golf course and he’s a confirmed winner out right here. You then acquired Kurt’s up there on the board. He will not be a family title right here, however he’s received a bunch occasions worldwide. JT up there. I noticed Jordan. I imply I’m going to overlook a couple of guys, however there’s a number of guys up there.’’
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