The Scotsman

Five-shot win for Scheffler in Orlando

- Trent Baker

World No 1 Scottie Scheffler produced a commanding final-round display to ease to a five-shot victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitation­al.

The 27-year-old claimed his seventh PGA Tour title and looks in ominous form ahead of next month's Masters at Augusta as six birdies in a flawless closing 66 turned the final round into a procession.

Scheffler had started the day level with Ireland's Shane Lowry on nine under par, but was soon three clear as Lowry made a bogey-bogey start and Scheffler birdied the first from 13 feet.

The American made further gains at the sixth, tenth and 11th and any hopes the chasing pack had of a late collapse were extinguish­ed by birdies from 35 feet at the 15th and four feet at the next.

"I played a good round of golf," said Scheffler, who next week defends his Players Championsh­ip title at Sawgrass. "Got off to a good start and just did my best to keep things rolling.

"I didn't look at many leaderboar­ds today; I just tried to stay in my own space and keep pushing.

"As we made the turn on the back nine I knew we had a few-shot lead but I really don't like this 18th hole to be honest so I needed a big lead going into the 18th and it was a nice one."

Lowry recovered from his tough start to card a levelpar closing 72, but missed out on a share of second as US Open champion Wyndham Clark holed a 25-footer on the last to complete a 70 and finish on 10 under.

Americans Russell Henley and Will Zalatoris were tied for fourth on seven under, with Rory Mcilroy's poor 76 seeing him finish outside the top 20.

 ?? ?? Scottie Scheffler: Closing 66
Scottie Scheffler: Closing 66

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom