Orlando, FL …
England’s Tyrrell Hatton reveals he is still fighting off a post WGC – Mexico Championship upset stomach in taking a two-shot lead into the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando.
Hatton produced one of the loudest roars on a bitterly cold third day in holing a superb 31-footer for birdie at the final green in a round 73 and lead by two shots at six-under par.
The double Alfred Dunhill Links champion went into day three tied for the lead on seven-under par and in Hatton’s fourth straight Bay Hill appearance but after starting with a bogey and then taking a double-bogey at the ninth he found himself falling down the board.
However the World No. 32 regrouped to complete his closing six holes in one-under par that included birdies at 13, 16 and the last and with Hatton showing his delight on 18 with a fist pump.
Just the third birdie on 18 Saturday. 🐦@TyrrellHatton with a clutch finish to Round 3 to enter Sunday with a two-shot lead. pic.twitter.com/jZrzl5i8Wb
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 7, 2020
“Yeah, I was very happy that one on 18 dropped,” he said.
“I think even though I tapped that putt it was probably going about 8 feet past. It was scary how quick that thing was. So I don’t normally fist pump on a Saturday.
“I think it was more shock that the ball actually went in the hole and very relieved.”
Hatton’s birdie on 18 was just the third birdie at the last on day three and in a round where not one of the 69 players who made the cut managed a score in the 60s.
But in indicating he was relieved to birdie the final hole the 28-year revealed he continues to fight off a stomach bug picked-up in Mexico City.
“I went to see a doctor after my round on Thursday and he prsescribed antibiotics but I am still feeling a bit uncomforable,” he said.
“I’m eating okay but still don’t feel 100%.”
