Arnold Palmer Invitational 2014: Adam Scott leads, Keegan Bradley charges

Adam Scott is still on top at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but his lead is significantly less secure than it was at the start of the day. Scott opened the third round with a seven-stroke lead, but now leads by just three heading into the final round.

Although Scott came in under par again, his 1-under 71 allowed the rest of the field to make up some ground. Keegan Bradley and Matt Every made the biggest moves up the leaderboard, thanks to rounds of 66. Bradley is now 12-under and three strokes off Scott’s lead. Every is tied for third place with Jason Kokrak at 11-under.

After opening the tournament with rounds of 62 and 68, Scott was unable to find similar success. He struggled early, with a bogey on No. 1. Following another bogey on No. 5, Scott was 2-over for the round. He rallied back on the back nine with four birdies, but a pair of bogeys in his final five holes prevented him from a third-straight round in the 60s.

Scott nearly dropped another shot on his final hole, but was able to make a tricky par putt to end the round. The importance of that putt didn’t go unnoticed, even with a three-stroke lead.

“It’s good for the confidence,” Scott said, via PGATour.com. “At this stage one shot can go a long way.”

While Bradley opened the round eight strokes off the lead, he now finds himself within striking distance thanks to a tremendous closing stretch. He made the turn at 1-under on the round, but opened the back nine with three straight birdies. A bogey and two pars had him at 9-under. He got on a roll again at No. 16, finishing the round with three straight birdies to surge into second place. Bradley will now join Scott in the final pairing on Sunday.

There will be a little extra on the line for Scott in the final round, as he will take over the No. 1 ranking in the world if he wins. Although he’s accomplished a lot during his career, Scott has never been ranked No. 1. For now, though, that isn’t his top priority. Via PGATour.com:

“I think I’ve got to try and win the golf tournament (Sunday),” he said. “I’m not trying to win the No. 1 ranking.

“I’ve got a bunch of guys breathing down my neck who all have had nice rounds (Saturday) and are feeling pretty good about the way they’re playing going into (Sunday).”

Here is a complete look at the leaderboard through 54 holes.