Scott’s lead shrinks at Bay Hill
Adam Scott didn’t have to look as far down the leaderboard to find players who suddenly are a real threat to win at Bay Hill.
He described them as players who are “hungry to win,” and Scott served them up an appetizer Saturday in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Staked to a seven-shot lead at the start of the third round, the Masters champion hit enough loose shots and missed just enough par putts to lose more than half his lead and turn his quest to be No. 1 in the world into a bigger battle that he would have preferred.
Scott made a 7-foot par putt on the final hole for a 1-under 71, giving him a three-shot lead over Keegan Bradley going into Sunday.
Scott was at 15-under 201.
Bradley birdied his last three holes, taking on the flag at the 18th with a 9-iron from 167 yards that narrowly cleared the rocks framing the lake and settled 4 feet from the flag. That was the final touch on an eight-birdie round of 66 that put him in the final group.
“I just kind of like that underdog role,” Bradley said. “I like knowing that I’ve got to go out there and play well. It really gets me excited. And playing in the final group with one of the best players in the world at Arnold Palmer’s tournament is what we all dream to do. Tomorrow is going to be a really fun day.”
Wheatcroft six back: Steve Wheatcroft shot a 71 Saturday and is six shots back of the lead at the Panama Claro Championship in Panama City. Aron Price leads the tournament with a 203.
Andrade, Funk share lead: Billy Andrade shot a 7-under 65 to share the lead with Fred Funk after the second round of the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic at Fallen Oak.
Andrade had the low round of the day, capping it with a 20-foot birdie putt on 18. Funk shot a 67.