Stenson leads
> … but McIlroy, Tiger, Rose surge at Bay Hill
HENRIK STENSON clung to a one-stroke lead after Saturday’s third round of the PGA Arnold Palmer Invitational while Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose surged into the title hunt.
Sweden’s Stenson, the 2016 British Open champion, fired a one-under par 71 to stand on 12under 204 after 54 holes at Bay Hill as American Bryson DeChambeau shot 72 to stand one stroke adrift.
But the 36-hole leaders couldn’t expand their edge, allowing Rose, McIlroy and Woods among others to charge into a Sunday showdown, 12 rivals in all within five strokes of Stenson at the Orlando layout.
“I could have a two- or three-shot lead, which would have been a nice cushion, but I’ve been in the mix a few times and I’m back here trying to give it a go,” Stenson said.
Four-time major champion McIlroy, who needs only a Masters green jacket to complete a career Grand Slam, birdied two of the last three holes to fire 67.
It was the Northern Irishman’s best US PGA round since the first round last August at Akron and he stood third on 206 a week after missing the cut.
“Worked on my swing a little bit, found a feeling, found something I could go with for this week and maybe beyond,” McIlroy said.
“Freed up my putting a little bit. Felt a little bit more in control of my game. I knew if that could translate from practice onto the course, I could have a good week.”
England’s Rose made six birdies against a lone stumble, a three-putt bogey at 15, to shoot 67 and share fourth on 207 with American Ryan Moore.
South Korea’s An Byeong-hun was in a pack on 208 that also included Americans Rickie Fowler, Talor Gooch and Charley Hoffman.
And then came Woods, who birdied two of the last three holes for a 69 to share 10th on 209 with US compatriots Patrick Reed, Bud Cauley and Grayson Murray.
“I figure I’m within reach if I shoot a really, really low round tomorrow. “I’m going to have to shoot a low one and get a little bit of help. But my responsibility is to go out and shoot a low one first,” Woods said.
With the Masters only three weeks off, Woods now has nine consecutive rounds of par or better – his longest such US PGA streak in more than five years. – AFP JUVENTUS’S march towards a seventh consecutive Serie A championship was stalled yesterday by a goalless draw at struggling SPAL that kept the suspense alive in Italy.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side had been bidding to open a seven-point cushion on Napoli, who could now close the gap to two when they host Genoa overnight.
“I’m neither angry nor disappointed, we came up against a battling SPAL who fought us and played a wicked game,” said Allegri.
“They made many fouls, 29, to break up our game. These are not excuses, but things that can happen during the season.
“It’s only human that when you are top of the Serie A table, in the Champions League quarterfinals and the Italian Cup final, you can miss a beat and lack energy once in a while.
“The positive thing is that we kept a clean sheet and still have a five-point advantage.”
Juventus’s 12-match league winning streak came to a halt but they matched their own Serie A record of 10 games without conceding a goal.
The champions lacked inspiration against the promoted side from Ferrara, to the north of Bologna, with normally reliable goal machines Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain failing to fire.
It was the first time in nearly 50 years that Juventus had played in Ferrara and they came up against a solid and well-organised SPAL unit.
Juventus almost scored in their first attack of the night when a Douglas Costa solo run created space for fellow Brazilian Alex Sandro but his effort was deflected wide. Dybala tried his luck after 17 minutes with a long-range curling effort that flew wide.
There was also a worry three weeks before their Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Real Madrid with Giorgio Chiellini leaving the pitch 10 minutes before the end with a thigh injury which Allegri later said was “muscle fatigue”.
Earlier Sassuolo got their first win since December, triumphing 2-1 to condemn Udinese to a fifth consecutive defeat.
Iraqi international Ali Adnan conceded an own goal after 42 minutes but two minutes later Seko Fofana pulled hosts Udinese level.
Stefano Sensi scored the winner 15 minutes from time to give Sassuolo breathing space as they move away from the relegation zone. – AFP