MCILROY ENDS 18-MONTH PGA WIN DROUGHT >32
McIlroy ends 18-month PGA Tour win drought with Palmer title
MIAMI: Rory McIlroy ended an 18-month US PGA Tour win drought in sensational fashion with birdies on five of the last six holes to capture the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Four-time major champion McIlroy outdueled American Bryson DeChambeau and Major winners Tiger Woods, Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson with an amazing putting display on the Bay Hill greens.
“It’s so nice to see everything come together finally,” McIlroy said.
“I wasn’t that far away. It takes something to click into place.
“Something clicked into place with my putting obviously.”
McIlroy fired an eight-under 64 to finish 72 holes on 18-under 270 and defeat DeChambeau by three strokes.
“I’m just proud of myself to hang in there over the past few months with injury and everything,” McIlroy said.
“To get my first PGA Tour win in I don’t know how long, it feels really great.”
The 28-year-old from Northern Ireland took his 14th PGA Tour triumph, his first since the 2016 Tour Championship, and served notice he is a solid threat to complete a career major Grand Slam by winning the US Masters in three weeks.
McIlroy had not won since the day Palmer died in 2016 but snapped his skid on the course where Palmer used to greet winners as they exited the 18th green.
“It’s a little bit ironic that I come here and win,” McIlroy said.
“He set a great example to all of us players. If all of us could handle ourselves the way Arnie did the world would be a better place.
“I wish I walked up that hill to get a handshake from him but I’m so glad to put my name on that trophy.”
DeChambeau fired a closing 68 to take second on 273, one stroke ahead of England’s Rose, who fired a 67, and two in front of Sweden’s Stenson with Woods and US compatriot Ryan Moore fifth on 278.
McIlroy sank a 15-foot birdie putt at 13 and followed with a 21-foot birdie putt at the par-three 14th to seize a two-stroke lead at 15-under.
“That gave me a lot of momentum coming in after not getting a birdie on the par-5 12th,” McIlroy said.
Stenson and DeChambeau each birdied 13 to pull within one shot, but McIlroy answered with a 40-foot birdie chip from off the 15th green for his third birdie in a row and two-putted from 21 feet for birdie at the par-five 16th to seize a threestroke advantage.
“To be able to chip in, that was a bonus and gave me a little leeway going into the last few holes,” McIlroy said.
Of his approach at 16, McIlroy added, “This was massive, probably the best drive I hit all week.”
DeChambeau sank a 15-foot eagle putt to pull one stroke behind McIlroy only to have the European star sink a 25-footer for birdie, raising his arms in victory. — AFP