Rory McIlroy staged a spectacular back nine charge to claim a three shot victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida, collecting his first win in 18 months and putting himself in contention for a tilt at the Masters’ title.
Two shots behind overnight leader Henrik Stenson when the final day’s play at Bay Hill began, McIlroy overhauled the Swede with a brilliant eight-under-par 64.
The Northern Irishman bagged five birdies over his last six holes, including a 25-foot birdie at the 18th, to clinch his first PGA Tour title since the 2016 Tour Championship.
McIlroy strung together four consistent sub-par rounds for an 18-under 270 total and a three shot victory over American Bryson DeChambeau, who closed with a 68. Justin Rose, who was playing alongside Mcilroy, finished alone in third, while Stenson faded to fourth with a closing 71.
Tiger Woods, an eight-time winner at Bay Hill, had threatened to bag a ninth title when closing to within one of the lead early in the back nine, but bogeys at 16 and 17 saw him drop down into a tie for fifth with Ryan Moore.
“I’ve been saying over the last few weeks that I wasn’t that far away, and it just takes something to click into place,” said McIlroy, whose victory moved him six places up the world rankings to seventh. “Something clicked into place with my game, especially my putting, and this is the result. It’s so nice to see everything come together finally.”
He added: “It was awesome to feel the buzz of being somewhere around the lead going into the back nine, and reeling off those four birdies in a row. To play the sort of golf that I played today, under that pressure, makes me feel very proud, and I’m just so happy to be back in the winner’s circle again and win a tournament that has Arnold Palmer’s name on it – someone who means so much to us in the game of golf.”
McIlroy’s Winning Bag
Driver: TaylorMade M3 460 (8.5°)
Fairway Woods: TaylorMade M3 (15°, 19° )
Irons: TaylorMade P750 (4), TaylorMade P730 (3-9)
Wedges: TaylorMade Milled Grind (48°, 52° & 58° and 60° Hi-Toe)
Putter: TaylorMade TP Collection Copper Soto
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x