A Sunday marathon will force Daniel Berger and Akshay Bhatia to start before many rivals, changing who faces fatigue and strategy on the final day. Sunday at 8: 00 a. m. ET play resumes after Saturday’s rain delay at the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2026, creating a split between early starters and rested contenders.
How Collin Morikawa, Rickie Fowler and others finished late at Bay Hill
Collin Morikawa and Rickie Fowler were the last group to complete the third round, holed out on No. 18 around 6: 35 p. m. ET and walked through a dark tunnel under a grandstand before crossing a road to scoring. Morikawa, Fowler and their partners finished 54 holes, which means Morikawa, Sepp Straka and Cameron Young will be able to sleep in Sunday morning rather than return at first light.
Arnold Palmer Invitational 2026 leaderboard: Berger leads, Bhatia close behind
Daniel Berger holds a two-shot lead into Sunday at 13-under through 15 holes, with Akshay Bhatia two strokes back at 11-under through 16 holes. A trio of Collin Morikawa, Sepp Straka and Cameron Young sit at 9-under after completing 54 holes, creating a clear separation between the two early starters and the rested chasers on the leaderboard.
What an 8: 00 a. m. start at Bay Hill means for Akshay Bhatia and Daniel Berger
Because play was suspended Saturday for an hour-long rain delay, Berger and Bhatia will be on the course at 8: 00 a. m. ET Sunday to finish their third rounds and then continue into the final round. That schedule turns Sunday into a long day for both leaders; the extra early time on the course heightens fatigue risk and affects how each will manage approach shots and putting late into the day.
When play resumed Saturday afternoon, Morikawa and his caddie Mark Urbanek realized they had roughly two hours of daylight left on a course that doesn’t lend itself to quick play. The good fortune for Morikawa was having Rickie Fowler in the group, noted as one of the faster players, which helped them get in before dusk.
Morikawa reflected on playing late as a youth, saying those long days taught more than practice, offering time to chip and putt and keep going until play ended. That experience translated to the third round at Bay Hill, where Morikawa and Fowler finished their workday with autograph sessions that stretched slightly beyond their on-course finish.
Saturday’s interruption and the staggered completion of the third round produced a clear competitive split: two players returning at first light with unfinished holes and several contenders already through 54 holes and positioned to start the final round without an early wake-up. That split reshuffles immediate tactical considerations for the leaders and chasers ahead of the final day.
Sunday will be a long day’s journey into night for the early starters, while the rested trio at 9-under will approach the final round having completed their third round and avoided the early return. The differing routines—an early restart for Berger and Bhatia versus a later, rested start for Morikawa, Straka and Young—set up distinct physical and strategic hurdles for Bay Hill.
More details expected Sunday at 8: 00 a. m. ET; if play continues without further weather interruptions, the leaders and chasers are expected to finish their remaining holes and settle final positions that day.
