MARC Leishman's chances of claiming a second Arnold Palmer Invitational victory are starting to slip through his fingers after round three on Sunday.
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The 35-year-old was unable to lower his score after shooting an even-par 72 to remain two-under-par at Bay Hills Golf Course in Florida.
The World number 18 enters the final round seven shots behind English leader Matthew Fitzpatrick and tied with eight others for 32nd.
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy is one shot behind Fitzpatrick with fellow Australian Aaron Baddeley a further one shot behind the leader.
Baddeley is attempting to end a three-year winless drought on the PGA Tour.
Leishman started the front nine strongly with two birdies on the par-four fifth and par-three seventh before hitting a bogey on the par-four eighth and a double on the par-four ninth to head into the back nine at one over for the round.
Through the back nine the Warrnambool export, who hit 11 of 18 greens in regulation during his third round, could only manage one birdie as he returned to his overnight score of two-under.
Leishman had recovered strongly from an eventful start to the tournament the previous day to post a two-under-70 in round two on Saturday.
On the Friday he had hit his tee-shot on the 521-yard par-five sixth hole but was unaware it had not crossed the water hazard until he was halfway up the fairway.
It meant he had to turn around and walk 274 metres back to reload for what would be his third shot, which he later described as the "walk of shame".
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
