Paul Casey accomplished what every PGA player hopes to when entering Sunday's finale two to five strokes behind the leader. Go low while those above battle it out, then sit back and see if anyone can catch him.

    Casey began the final 18 at the Valspar Championship at 4 under, five strokes behind upstart leader Corey Conners, who wound up succumbing to the pressure and dropping out of contention. Casey posted a 6-under-65 to wind up on top at 10 under, and nobody was able to mount a big enough charge to overtake him. 

    Tiger Woods played steady golf for 16 holes, but went to No. 17 at even par for the round and two strokes behind Casey. A long birdie putt that elicited a roar from the spectators around the green cut the margin to one going to 18. But Tiger, needing a birdie, couldn't get close enough to the hole for him to take a good shot at it. His long birdie putt to tie fell a little short and he had to settle for a tie for second. 

    The Arnold Palmer Invitational, one of Tiger's most successful events, begins Thursday and he has to be headed there with a great degree of confidence based on his play at Innisbrook. He'll face another strong field, including Jason Day, Rickie Fowler, Hideki Matsuyama, Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Bubba Watson. Missing will be Casey, Phil Mickelson, struggling Jordan Spieth and Sergio Garcia, who closed with 65 at Innisbrook to finish at 8 under, tied for fourth. 

    And don't forget Ted Potter, who missed the cut by one stroke after an improved Friday round of 70. 

    There are four Gators entered - Billy Horschel, Brian Gay, Camilo Villegas, and recent back-to-back winner of the event, Matt Every, but all eyes, as usual, will be on Tiger to see if last week was the new norm or the aberration.

    Like Innisbrook, Bay Hill will be packed to the rafters to find out. 

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