Scottie Scheffler put in an incredible performance as he cruised to victory at Bay Hill. Rory McIlroy suffered a dismal final round after a series of bogeys pushed him away. Watch The Players live on Thursdays from 11.30am. on Sky Sports Golf
With Megan Wellens, Digital Sports Journalist @MegWellensX
23:01, United Kingdom, Sunday 10 March 2024
Scottie Scheffler became the first world No 1 to win at Bay Hill since 2009 as he carded a six-under 66 to secure a commanding victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
It was quite the performance for Scheffler, who finished on 15 under – five shots clear of second-placed Wyndham Clark with Ireland’s Shane Lowry in third on 9 under.
After a seemingly effortless bogey-free front nine with two birdies, Scheffler stepped things up and, after hitting seven of the opening nine, birdied the 10th and 11th to consolidate his lead.
With his play on the greens particularly unsteady, Scheffler made two more birdies at the par-four 15th and par-five 16th to move to 15 under with two holes remaining, pars at the 17th and 18th making him the only player who went bogey-free in the final round and secured his second victory at Bay Hill.
A look at Scottie Scheffler’s final shot to win the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational and his reaction to it.
“I played a good round of golf. We got off to a good start and I did my best to keep things going,” Scheffler said.
“I didn’t look at many leaderboards today, I kind of stayed in my own little space to keep pushing.
“It was nice. Like I said, I just stick to my process.
“Starting this week I tried to be on good behavior.
“It’s a real honor to win here and I’m grateful that the Palmer family have continued the tournament and I’m looking forward to coming back here next year.”
US Open champion Clark had a mixed bag as he finished second, four birdies countering three bogeys as he finished 10 under.
Lowry, who started the day as the leader along with Scheffler, bounced back from a rough start with bogeys and another bogey at the seventh, three birdies that helped him get to nine under for the tournament.
“There are a lot of positives to take away,” Lowry said.
“Obviously I’m a bit disappointed, but I got beaten by the world No 1 and it showed why he’s the world No 1 out there.
“It was exhibition stuff from him and I don’t know even if I had my game, if it would have been good enough.
“Take it on the chin and go to the players next week.”
McIlroy makes a mess in the final round with bobbers
It was a final round to forget for McIlroy at Bay Hill with bogeys at the third and fourth dropping him to three under before a double bogey after landing in the drink saw him sit at one under after just seven holes.
Rory McIlroy has a round to forget on the final day of the Arnold Palmer Invitational as he hits the water to drive in a double bogey on the sixth at Bay Hill Club
With more bogeys to follow at the eighth and 11th, McIlroy only finding three greens in his first 11 holes, he fell further behind as a tough round was in full swing.
After another bogey at the par-4 11th, McIlroy bounced back with birdies at 13 and 15, but the damage was already done as the world No. 2 finished the day with a four-over 76.
Despite a tough day, McIlroy was positive about his play off the tee heading into TPC Sawgrass for the Players Championship.
Rory McIlroy became the first player in PGA Tour history to drive the green on the par-four 10th hole at Bay Hill with a massive 365-yard putt.
“Another great week off the tee. I feel like I found a good feeling with the set-up as well,” he said.
“I’ve been hitting well the last three days. It’s just the iron game that’s been letting me down. It’s been kind of the same story the last few weeks, I’m kind of struggling with a lefty miss with the irons and it’s hard because the bigger clubs, the woods, I feel so good and then the irons don’t feel as good.
“So I feel like I have to put like two different swings in the woods and the irons at the moment, which is tough. But everything else is pretty good, so if I can tighten up the irons, I feel like I’ll be in a good spot.”
What’s next?
The PGA Tour stays in Florida for The Players, one of the biggest events on the golf calendar, with Scheffler returning as the defending champion and McIlroy chasing a second win at TPC Sawgrass.
There’s not long to wait until the 50th edition of The Players Championship live on Sky Sports.
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