DeChambeau edges Westwood to win Bay Hill
MIAMI: Reigning US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, bolstered by messages from Tiger Woods, outdueled Britain's Lee Westwood in a dramatic back-nine battle on Sunday (Monday in Manila) to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The 27-year-old American captured his eighth career US PGA title, his first title since his major triumph last September at Winged Foot, firing a one-under par 71 to finish 72 holes at windy Bay Hill in Orlando on 11-under 277 with Westwood on 278.
"It has been a battle this whole time," DeChambeau said. "It means the world to me.
"To win Mr. Palmer's event, it's nothing short of incredibly special." DeChambeau said he received a message of support from 15-time major winner Woods, who is recovering from severe leg injuries
suffered in a car wreck last month.
"He helped me quite a bit today, this morning, talking to him through texts. He's obviously struggling a little bit," DeChambeau said.
"For him to even think of me with all he's going through is amazing.
"He has inspired me. He really inspired me to keep pushing through... This one's for Tiger."
DeChambeau said the message from Woods was similar to the one he gave the injured legend about perseverance.
"It's not how many times you get knocked down it's how many times you get picked up and keep going and that's what I did out there today," Dechambeau said.
DeChambeau matched the low round of the day and was one of only three players to crack par Sunday.
Westwood settled for second after a closing 73 with Canada's Corey Conners third on 280 and Americans Jordan Spieth, Andrew Putnam and Richy Werenski sharing fourth on 282.
World number 11 DeChambeau opened with a bogey, then birdied the par-5 fourth and sixth and parred his way to the clubhouse for the victory.
DeChambeau was born in 1993, the same year Westwood turned professional. The 47-year-old Englishman said he was impressed with the American's iron shots as well as his distance.
"He has worked hard in the gym and worked on his technique to hit it a long way," Westwood said. "He can overpower a golf course. He's fun to watch."
Westwood, ranked 39th, won last year at Abu Dhabi but missed out on his first US PGA victory since the 2010 St. Jude Classic.