Stenson on guard
Swede takes one-shot lead, Woods five behind
ORLANDO: Henrik Stenson gets his third chance in four years to finally win the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the final hour reminded him it won’t be easy.
Part of that feeling came from three putts he narrowly missed – two for birdie, one for eagle – that could have given him some separation going into the final round at Bay Hill.
Stenson settled for a one-under 71 that gave him a one-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau, who missed a few chances of his own in a round of 72.
And part of that feeling was seeing some of the names suddenly in the mix.
Four-time Major champion Rory McIlroy made an eagle and birdied two of his last three holes, dropping a wedge into three feet on the 18th for a 67 to finish two shots behind.
Former US Open champion Justin Rose outplayed Tiger Woods before another raucous gallery, posting a 67 that left him three behind.
“I think that I didn’t really miss a shot the last six holes,” said Stenson, who was at 12-under 204.
“The only frustrating part was not really getting the score with me on that fine play coming in.
“I felt like I left one or two out there coming in and I definitely could have wrapped up a two- or three-shot lead for tomorrow, which would have been a nice cushion.
“But I guess it didn’t happen and we’ve just got to go out and play solid tomorrow to try and have a chance to win it.”
Woods isn’t entirely out of it just yet, either. He hit another shot that had the fans buzzing, switching from a wedge to hit back to the fairway to a five-iron he took over the lip, over the trees and over the water to set up a birdie on the parfive 16th.
Woods had a 69 and was five shots behind. “I’m within reach if I shoot a really, really low round tomorrow,” Woods said.
Of his record eight victories at Bay Hill, Woods has led six times and was tied for the lead another time.
His lone comeback also was from five shots behind in 2009, when he rallied to beat Sean O’Hair with a 67 in the final round. Woods has played in the final group at all eight of his Bay Hill victories.
This time, he has nine players in front of him, and they have some pedigree.