Berger’s lead cut while McIlroy withdraws

Rains wreaks havoc at the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf championships as overnight leader Daniel Berger sees his lead of five whittled down to two. The day also saw World No 2 Rory McIlroy due to a back injury.

Berger managed to play only 15 holes in the third round and is currently at 13-under, just two ahead of Akshay Bhatia, who also did not finish his round. Bhatia is 3-under after playing 16 holes.

A torrential downpour caused a delay that prevented four players — Berger, Bhatia, Ludvig Aberg and Sahith Theegala—from completing their third round.

Berger, who opened with a 63, had two birdies and two bogeys through 15 holes to sit at even par for the round. He will face a 33-foot eagle putt at the par-5 16th hole when he continues his round on the final day.

Sepp Straka, Cameron Young and Collin Morikawa share the clubhouse lead at nine-under 207. Straka submitted the day’s low round, a six-under 66, while Young had a 67 and Morikawa carded a 70 after he sank a nine-foot par putt.

Defending champion Russell Henley is T9 at six-under while World No. 1 and 20-time PGA TOUR winner Scottie Scheffler lies T20 on three-under.

McIlroy, who opted out of the USD 20million event said: “While warming up in the gym this morning, I felt a small twinge in my back. As I started hitting balls on the range before the round, it worsened and developed into muscle spasms in my lower back. Unfortunately, I’m not able to continue and have to withdraw. I was excited to compete this weekend. I wish the Arnold Palmer Invitational a great finish and look forward to being back next year.”

Castillo leads by one in Puerto Rico

Meanwhile, Ricky Castillo carded a bogey-free 4-under 68 to hold a one-stroke lead after the third round of the Puerto Rico Open. Castillo is seeking his first PGA Tour title and would become the second first-time winner after Jacob Bridgeman at the Genesis Invitational this season.

Two-time DP World Tour winner and PGA Tour rookie John Parry is in a four way tie in second spot with Matti Schmid, Blades Brown and Chandler Blanchet.

Parry carded a 4-under 68 round as he seeks his first Tour victory and to become first rookie to win since Michael Brennan (2025 Bank of Utah Championship.

German Schmid carded bogey-free 68 in the third round while18-year-old Brown posted a 3-under 69 in the third round to sit tied for second.

Blanchet posted a 2-over 74 in the third round to sit one stroke behind Castillo.

Making his debut as a sponsor exemption, John Daly II (T8/-9) carded a 2-under 70, highlighted by an eagle on par-5 11^th.

Johnson hanging one by one stroke

Making his PGA TOUR Champions debut, Zach Johnson holds a one-stroke lead entering the final round of the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational following a bogey-free 66 round.

With a win on Sunday, he would become the fourth-youngest winner in PGA Tour Champions history at 50 years, 12 days.

He leads George McNeill and Steve Allen going into the final round.

In his second start McNeill carded 69 and sits at 7-under. Despite a double bogey on No. 8, Allan is within sight of his fourth win on PGA TOUR Champions (50th start).

Reigning Charles Schwab Cup winner Stewart Cink is tied fifth as he posted 72 and sits 5-under.

First-round leader Ricardo Gonzalez (T8) bogeyed three of his first five holes en route to 75 and enters the final round at 3-under.

Redman makes eight birdies

Doc Redman had a sizzling round, making eight birdies, including back-to-back birdies at the par-4 17th and par-5 18th to finish his round, en route to 6-under 65 and a two-stroke lead over Davis Shore at 15-under 198.

Michael Johnson (T3/-12) matched the low round of the day with Maxwell Moldovan with an 8-under 63.

He is tied with rookie Chad Sewell, Sewell is in the top five through 54 holes for a second consecutive event after T5/119th at the Argentina Open.

Partial Third-Round Leaderboard (Arnold Palmer Invitational)

Third-Round Leaderboard (Puerto Rico Open)

Second-Round Leaderboard (James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational)

Third-round Leaderboard (Chile Classic)