Golf

Rory McIlroy lets chance slip on back nine as Henrik Stenson goes clear

Three straight bogeys leaves world number one seven shots off Swedish star

Rory McIlroy reacts to a putt on the sixth green during the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill Club in Orlando, Florida. Photograph: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Rory McIlroy reacts to a putt on the sixth green during the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill Club in Orlando, Florida. Photograph: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Sat Mar 21 2015 - 22:39

Golf round-up: Rory McIlroy's bid to go into the Masters with a second victory of the season under his belt suffered a major blow after a poor finish to his third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

In his last competitive outing before trying to complete the career grand slam at Augusta next month, McIlroy was within a shot of the lead when he carded his fourth birdie of the day on the 13th at Bay Hill.

However, the world number one then bogeyed the next three holes and had to settle for a round of 71 and nine under, seven shots behind Ryder Cup team-mate Henrik Stenson on 16 under.

McIlroy had birdied five holes in a row from the second during his second round – having started on the 10th – but could only pick up one shot over the same stretch on Saturday, missing from 11 feet for an eagle on the par-five sixth and having to settle for a birdie four.

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The four-time Major winner chipped in from the back of the ninth green for his second birdie of the day and looked to be moving through the gears when he also picked up shots on the 12th and 13th.

But the 25-year-old then bogeyed the 14th after coming up short of the green with his tee shot and dropped another shot on the next, three-putting from 30 feet after an excellent escape from the trees to the right of the fairway.

McIlroy then duffed a chip from right of the 16th green and compounded the error with another three-putt, in stark contrast to Stenson who holed from 20 feet for eagle on the par five after previous birdies on the sixth, ninth and 15th.

“I’m frustrated. I birdied 12 and 13 and got right into the thick of things and then to give three shots back in quick succession was not really the plan,” said McIlroy.

“I’m disappointed with the way I finished but I played well for the most part. I need to try to get off to a good start tomorrow, shoot a good score and see where that leaves me.

“There’s a lot of quality players above me. I would need to get off to a very fast start (to win). 30 or 31 on the front nine it’s possible; just try to start better and go from there.”

Four birdies in five holes wasn’t enough to see Pádraig Harrington move into contention as the Honda Classic also had three bogeys in a one-under 71 that sees him go into the final round on six under.

The entire field is separated by just six shots heading into the final round of the Madeira Islands Open after the tournament was reduced to 36 holes for the second year in succession.

The tournament had been cut to three rounds after winds gusting up to 47mph meant no play was possible on Thursday, while further strong winds on Friday caused a delay of almost two hours before rain ended play early.

Half of the field had yet to complete their rounds when play was abandoned for the day at 6pm and more rain which flooded the course caused further disruption on Saturday.

With yet more bad weather forecast for Sunday the decision was taken to make it a 36-hole event, with the top 65 and ties due to play the final round in a shotgun start at 8am.

Denmark's JB Hansen held the clubhouse lead on four under par, one shot ahead of a group of eight players including England's Andrew Marshall and Scotland's Peter Whiteford.

Kevin Phelan and Gareth Maybin are both two shots off the lead on two under, while Peter Lawrie is a shot further back. Simon Thornton is one over, but Ruaidhri McGee missed the cut on three over.