Palmer victory sends McIlroy back into the winner’s circle

The loudest roars at Bay Hill were for Tiger Woods. The last ones were for Rory McIlroy.

McIlroy left some indelible images of his own Sunday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational just outside Orlando, Fla., with a backnine charge that would have made the King proud, and a final putt on the 18th green that a delirious gallery in Orlando had seen for so many years from Woods.

McIlroy ran off five birdies during his last six holes and closed with an 8-under 64 for a threeshot victory. He won for the first time since the Tour Championship on Sept. 25, 2016, the day Palmer died.

“I wish I walked up that hill and got a handshake from him,” McIlroy said. “But I’m so happy to put my name on that trophy.”

The lone Canadian to make the cut, Hamilton native Mackenzie Hughes, finished tied for 54th and was even for the tournament.

Tiger Woods finished bogeybogey-par for a 3-under 69 and finished in a tie for fifth.

At No. 18, McIlroy left his putt 25 feet above the hole, roughly the spot from where Woods made birdie putts to win in 2001, 2008 and 2009. McIlroy buried the putt, raised both arms in the air and turned to slam his fist.

“I’ve seen Tiger make that enough times to know what it does,” McIlroy said. “So I just wanted to try and emulate that. Didn’t quite give it the hat toss — I was thinking about doing it.”

Meanwhile in Phoenix, Inbee Park spoiled Laura Davies’s bid to become the oldest winner in LPGA Tour history, pulling away from the 54-year-old Englishwoman in the Founders Cup.

Park closed Sunday with a 5-under 67 at Desert Ridge for her 19th LPGA Tour win and first in a year.

Maude-Aimee Leblanc, of Sherbrooke, Que., finished 15 strokes back.