PGA: Horschel and Gooch survive a difficult 3rd round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Bay Hill course was upset during the 3^e round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Saturday, headed by Billy Horschel and Talor Gooch.

The fast greens and a strong wind caused a lot of trouble and the lead moved a lot.

Already in good positions after 36 holes, Horschel (71) and Gooch (72) limited the damage and shared the lead heading into the final round at -7. Gooch could have even taken the lead on his own on the 18th hole, but he missed a relatively short putt for par and had to settle for a bogey.

The American had his ups and downs, notably with two birdies and three bogeys on the front nine. On the return, he recorded two birdies at the 15^e and 16^e holes, but he was not able to take advantage of this good sequence.

The story was quite different for Horschel, who had a spectacular birdie putt on 18^e hole to settle seven strokes under par.

” It was really good. It was a difficult day and several good shots didn’t give the expected results, but I was patient and I’m very satisfied”, commented Horschel after 54 holes.

McIlroy and Hovland’s characters put to the test

Viktor Hovland (75) and Rory McIlroy (76), respectively at 1^is and 2^e ranks, however, weren’t as lucky as Gooch and Horschel and had a tougher round.

In a rollercoaster round, McIlroy initially bogeyed three times in the first eleven holes to slip down the standings.

The Northern Irishman thought he had found his bearings after birdies at 12^e and 13^e holes, but his successes were only short-lived.

McIrloy took a double bogey on the 15th^e hole and bogeys at 17^e etn 18^e holes and he will start the final round four shots from the lead.

For his part, Hovland had started his day well, when he found himself a shot under par after nine holes. The four bogeys he committed on his back nine, however, helped him lose the lead in the standings.

At the top of the ranking, we can also see the name of Scottie Scheffler, who climbed 16 rungs in the ranking and who finds himself in 4^e position. Scheffler posted the day’s best score with a 68 – as did Chris Kirk.

He notably registered five birdies and an eagle during his day.

Among the good rounds of the day, we also note the performance of the Canadian Corey Conners who moved into the top-10 with a card of 69. He occupied the 39^e rank before 3^e round.

The shot of the day ultimately went to American Max Homa, who holed a hole-in-one on the par three of the 14^e hole. He played 73 and finds himself at 17^e rank after 54 holes.