Stenson charges into lead at Bay Hill
Hoffman falters a bit, and the world’s third-ranked player takes a two-shot edge.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Morgan Hoffmann finally wobbled after dominating the first two days of play at Bay Hill.
Henrik Stenson was waiting to pounce.
Looking every bit the world’s No. 3 player and outplaying world No. 1 Rory McIlroy, Stenson carded a bogey-free, six-under-par 66 to move to 16-under for a two-shot lead over Hoffmann after three rounds of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
On Friday, Stenson was even par after six holes and four under for the week when he said he “kicked myself in the butt a little bit.” He responded with six birdies on the back nine for a 66 to move into contention.
On Saturday, Stenson closed his round even more impressively. He was four under on the final four holes, culminating with a tap-in birdie on the par-four 18th.
“All and all, a better player round than yesterday, even though the result was the same,” Stenson said. “I felt like I hit better.”
Meanwhile, Hoffmann rarely showed the command he had during his opening 36 holes.
The 25-year-old entered the day with a three-shot lead, but carded a lackluster one-under 71. Hoffmann managed three birdies after making nine Friday.
Sunday’s final round is far from a two-man race.
Four players are 13 under, including defending champion Matt Every (69) and Jason Kokrak, who tied for the day’s low round with a 65.
McIlroy was positioned to join the mix after birdies at the 12th and 13th holes moved him to 12 under par. He then bogeyed the next three holes and shot a 71. He sits seven shots back of Stenson.
Sunday will be McIlroy’s final competitive round before he looks to complete the career Grand Slam in three weeks at the Masters.
Even without McIlroy in the mix, Sunday has potential for fireworks.
“A lot of things can happen in 18 holes,” Stenson said. “We’ve seen that.”