Daniel Berger maintains a two-stroke advantage from the surging Akshay Bhatia at the Arnold Palmer Invitataional at Bay Hill after Irish interest ended with Rory McIlroy's withdrawal.
McIlroy, who was in a tie for ninth place on four-under, pulled out after experiencing back spasms ahead of his third round. He began feeling discomfort during a gym session earlier in the day and it failed to resolve on the range before his round, forcing him to withdraw from the competition which he won in 2018.
"While warming up in the gym this morning, I felt a small twinge in my back," he said in a 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."
McIlroy is seeking to defend his Players Championship title at the legendary Sawgrass course next week. His decision to withdraw ended Irish involvement, Shane Lowry having missed the cut by a whisker on Friday.
Play was halted as darkness fell on Saturday after delays for bad weather, with Berger holding on to a two-shot lead with three holes remaining.
Fellow American Bhatia, who had completed 16 holes, had trimmed his advantage from five shots.
Austrian Ryder Cup star Sepp Straka was among a group a further two shots back after a third round 66, alongside two-time major winner Collin Morikawa and Cameron Young.
Australia's Min Woo Lee is on eight-under, while Ludvig Aberg and the in-form Chris Gotterup are tied-seventh on seven-under par.
World number one Scottie Scheffler posted a level par 72 as is 10 strokes off the pace.
