Daniel Berger Maintains Arnold Palmer Invitational Lead As Rory McIlroy Withdraws With Back Injury

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Daniel Berger heads into Sunday leading the Arnold Palmer Invitational, while Rory McIlroy’s campaign has ended early after a back injury forced a rare withdrawal, shifting attention to Berger’s unfinished third round and a reshaped leaderboard at Bay Hill.

Weather disruptions on Saturday stopped play for several groups, leaving Berger among four players who could not complete round three. Berger sits at 13 under par through 15 holes and must finish those three holes on Sunday before starting the closing 18.

Akshay Bhatia is Berger’s closest challenger at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, standing two strokes behind and also yet to finish the third round. Sepp Straka, Cameron Young and Collin Morikawa are a further two shots back, keeping the chasing pack tightly bunched behind Berger.

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The Arnold Palmer Invitational stage also marks a key moment in Daniel Berger’s comeback. Berger is seeking a first victory since the 2021 AT&T Pro-Am, having missed 19 months of competition after the 2022 U.S. Open because of a lower-back problem that caused significant pain.

Rory McIlroy had moved into contention at the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a second-round 68 that lifted McIlroy into a share of ninth place. Any push toward the top ended when a back issue flared up while McIlroy prepared for round three.

"While warming up in the gym this morning, I felt a small twinge in my back," McIlroy said via a PGA Tour statement. "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."

This withdrawal at the Arnold Palmer Invitational is only the third of McIlroy’s career and the first since 2013. McIlroy now turns attention to defending titles at the Players Championship next week and preparing for the Masters, which starts on April 9 at Augusta National.

World number one Scottie Scheffler recorded a level-par 72 in the third round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, staying in touch but not closing the gap on Berger. With several contenders still completing round three, Sunday’s schedule at Bay Hill is set for a long and decisive day.