South African golfer Christiaan Bezuidenhout played a classy 2-under 70, to tie for 13th place going into Sunday’s final round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Bezuidenhout finds himslef alongside world No 1 Scottie Scheffler and US Open winner Wyndham Clark. The 30-year-old ended the third round with two clutch birdies on 17 and 18 to put himself eight shots behind the leader Collin Morikawa. American Morikawa carded a clinical 67 to give himself a one shot lead on Sunday ahead of countryman Russell Henley.
Canadian Corey Connors is currently third, who carded three-under 69. Australian golfer Jason Day continued his good form and finished Saturday in fourth position with his three-under 69. Day had previously shot a blistering eight-under on Friday to muscle his way up the leaderboard.
Bezuidenhout’s opening round on Thursday got him off to a good start, closing the day in second position. The South African lost some ground after a three-over 75 on Friday, but after Saturday’s performance, has now put himself in a contention for a top 10 finish, and with some added luck, a perhpa even a Top 5 finish.
His putter was burning hot on Saturday, sinking two clutch putts that got the crowd cheering for. On the par-three 17th hole, he drained a 40 footer after his tee shot landed on the top side of the green.
Bezuidenhout’s closing birdie on 18th was sealed with another cool putt, after making his way out of the rough on his approach to the green.
Bezuidenhout has played six Arnold Palmer Invitationals so far, with a career best finish of seventh place.