Kurt Kitayama (US) shot a level par 72 to stand at nine under par after three rounds of the $20 million Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club and Lodge on the PGA Tour.

30 year-old Kitayama started the day with a two shot lead, but this was gone when he sent his drive out of bounds to the right on the par 5 fourth hole for a double bogey seven.

He went out in 39 with no birdies at the same time as Victor Hovland (Nor) went to the top of the leaderboard with a six under par 66 and Rory McIlroy (NI) made his move with a bogey free round of 68.

On the back nine, Kitayama, a three-time winner worldwide, birdied holes 10, 12, 16 and 18 and with just one bogey on hole 14 retook the lead on another windy day with gusts and firm greens.

On completing his round, Kitayama said, ‘Just proud of the way I fought.’

It is always said that one of the secrets of scoring well at the challenging Bay Hill layout is driving accuracy and hitting greens. Kitayama leads both these stat categories after three rounds, having hit 31 of 42 fairways. and well as hitting 40 of 54 greens in regulation, an impressive 74.07% return.

A classic final round shootout is promised with the weather forecast predicting the winds will ease up on Sunday and a chance of a few showers and perhaps scattered thunderstorms. There are 11 players within five shots of the leader, all chasing Kitayama, who is searching for his first PGA victory, despite going close recently: Mexico Open (won by Rahm), Genesis Scottish Open (won by Xander Schauffele) and the CJ Cup in South Carolina (won by McIlroy).

Kitayama will play his final round in a two ball alongside Hovland, Scheffler with Hatton and McIlroy with Harris English (US).

Third Round Scores (Par 72, 7,466 Yards)

1 - K. Kitayama (US) 67, 68, 72 (-9)2 - V. Hovland (Nor) 71, 71, 66 (-8)   - S. Scheffler (US) 68, 72, 68 (-8)4 - T. Hatton (Eng) 71, 72, 66 (-7)5 - R. McIlroy (NI) 73, 69, 68 (-6)   - H. English (US) 69, 72, 69 (-6)