Can Rory McIlroy win Arnold Palmer Invitational 2023 on the last day?

Rory McIlroy is three shots behind the lead Kurt Kitayama at the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational. Despite not having a good start to the tournament, the former World No.1 managed to improve his ranking on the leaderboard after three rounds.

McIlroy was tied for the fifth position after the third round of the tournament where he managed to finish up at a scoring deficit of one. Kurt Kitayama, the leader of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, has maintained the top position in the last two rounds with a score of under nine.

McIlroy needs to play a few of the best shots in the final round to dethrone Kitayama and win the second event of the year 2023. He had earlier won the 2023 Dubai Dessert Classic, which concluded in January.

It is pertinent to note that a victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational could also help McIlroy improve his world rankings. He is currently World No.3 after Scottie Scheffler dethroned him at the WM Phoenix Open. Jon Rahm is securing the top spot in the world rankings these days.

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2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational leaderboard ahead of the final round

People have their eyes on the 2023 Arnold Invitational Open, especially because of its star-studded field. Some of the world's best golfers are competing in the tournament to win $3.6 million from the total purse of $20 million.

American golfer Kurt Kitayama is leading the tally after Saturday's round, followed by Viktor Hovland and Scottie Scheffler. Tyrell Hatton secured the fourth position while Rory McIlroy tied for fifth alongside Harris English. Justin Thomas, who was in second position after the second round, slipped down to seventh position after Saturday's round.

Here is the full leaderboard of the 2023 Arnold Invitational after the third round:

• 1. Kurt Kitayama
• T2. Viktor Hovland
• T2. Scottie Scheffler
• 4. Tyrell Hatton
• T5. Rory McIlroy
• T5. Harris English
• T7. Pierceson Coody
• T7. Justin Thomas
• T7. Jordan Spieth
• T10. Max Homa
• T10. Cameron Young
• T12. Jason Day
• T12. Trey Mullinax
• T12. Tony Finau
• T12. Ludvig Aberg
• T12. Patrick Cantlay
• T12. Xander Schauffele
• T12. Corey Conners
• T19. David Lipsky
• T19. Adam Svensson
• T19. Kyle Westmoreland
• T19. Francesco Molinari
• T19. Ben Taylor
• T19. Danny Willett
• T19. Sungjae Im
• T19. Sahith Theegala
• T19. Thomas Detry
• T19. Rickie Fowler
• T19. Keith Mitchell
• T19. Ben Griffin
• T31. Taylor Moore
• T31. Adam Schenk
• T31. Martin Laird
• T31. Padraig Harrington
• T31. Justin Suh
• T31. Taylor Montgomery
• T31. Adam Scott
• T31. Matt Fitrpatrick
• T31. Russell Henley
• T39. Alex Noren
• T39. Keegan Bradley
• T39. Chris Kirk
• T39. Davis Riley
• T44. Ryan Fox
• T44. Will Zalatoris
• T44. Ryan Palmer
• T44. Aaron Baddeley
• T44. Emiliano Grillo
• T44. Andrew Putnam
• T44. Luke Donald
• T44. Jon Rahm
• T52. Zach Johnson
• T52. Robby Shelton
• T52. Tommy Fleetwood
• T52. Matthew NeSmith
• T52. Wyndham Clark
• T52. Tom Kim
• T59. SH Kim
• T59. KH Lee
• T59. Si Woo Kim
• T59. Mackenzie Hughes
• T59. Cole Hammer
• T64. Davis Thompson
• T64. Webb Simpson
• T64. Brendan Todd
• T64. David Lingmerth
• 68. Greyson Sigg
• T69. Seamus Power
• T69. Shane Lowry
• 72. Will Gordon