Adam Scott maintains 'healthy' lead in 6.2 mln-dollar Arnold Palmer Invitational

Australian golf ace and defending Masters champion Adam Scott has maintained a healthy lead at the 6.2 million-dollar Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill course in Florida after the third round on Saturday.

Scott hit a one-under 71 to claim a three-shot lead having led by seven overnight despite seeing healthy halfway lead slashed to a single stroke after playing the first five holes in two over.

According to the BBC, Scott can assume top spot in the rankings before beginning his defence of the year's first major if he wins the tournament and if neither he nor Tiger Woods, who withdrew from this event with back trouble, play again before the Masters.

The report mentioned that Scott's closest rival in the event is former US PGA champion Keegan Bradley after a six-under 66, adding that Bradley birdied the 18th and Scott bogeyed the 17th to leave the destiny of the title - and with it the world number one ranking - in the balance.

Bradley's score was matched by Matt Every one shot further adrift while Italian Francesco Molinari leads the European challenge at five off the lead, and England's Ian Poulter is two shots further back, the report added.