PGA TOUR
Arnold Palmer Invitational
Scheffler Wins at Arnie’s Place
Scottie Scheffler scored a narrow one-shot victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The 25-year-old American becomes the second multiple winner this season on the PGA Tour joining Hideki Matsuyama.
Scheffler carded a final round even par to tally 5-under at the notoriously difficult Palmer re-worked Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida. Australia’s Lucas Herbert enjoyed a share of 7th place at 2-under after he fired the low round on Sunday with a 4-under 68. The 26-year-old was one of just four players who broke par in the windy, firm conditions. He moved up 26 places on a tough final day.
On a gruelling Sunday, the field was a combined 266 over par with the scoring average 75.51, making it the highest final round scoring average since 1981. Only ten players finished the week under par.
Scheffler started the final round two shots off the lead held by Billy Horschel and Talor Gooch. The world No. 6, covered the front nine in 1-over with three bogeys and two birdies. Scheffler, who won the WM Phoenix Open last month, made one birdie on the home nine at the par 5, 12th hole. He made two massive par saves at the 15th and 16th holes. At the 15th, Scheffler buried a 22-foot par putt. He then got up and down for a par from 68 yards at the next hole. The 2020 PGA Tour Rookie of The Year made solid pars at the final two holes to remain at 5-under.
Compatriot Horschel, England’s Tyrrell Hatton and Norway’s Viktor Hovland shared second place at 4-under. Co-overnight leader Horschel dropped five shots over the opening 10 holes. The 35-year-old rebounded with two unanswered birdies to sign for a final round 3-over 75. Hatton was looking for his second Arnold Palmer Invitational after taking the title in 2020. The 30-year-old fired a stunning 3-under 69…it was the second lowest score on Sunday. Hovland, aged 24, held a two-shot at the 11th hole after he curled in a birdie putt from six feet. The world No. 4, who had claimed three wins at his last seven starts worldwide, dropped two shots over the closing stretch. Hovland signed for a final round 2-over 74.
Americans Gary Woodland (73) and Chris Kirk (72) finished one-shot further back at 3-under and in a tie for fifth place. Woodland was searching for his first win in 56 PGA Tour starts since his last victory at the 2019 US Open. The 37-year-old seized the lead after he buried an eagle putt from 24 feet at the par 5, 16th hole. It was his first eagle at the hole in 23 career rounds. Woodland ended the day double bogey, bogey.
World No. 1 Jon Rahm made his first start at this event. The Spaniard finished 2-over at Arnie’s Place and in a tie for 17th place. Rahm was the last player to win on the PGA Tour with a final score in the single digits (2021 US Open at 6-under).
Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau was unable to contest for back-to-back titles. The long-hitting American withdrew from the event due to hip and hand injuries.
The PGA Tour remains in Florida for next week’s THE PLAYERS Championship staged at TPC Sawgrass. America’s Justin Thomas is the defending champion.
Final Scores
Arnold Palmer Invitational
1. Scottie Scheffler -5
T2. Tyrrell Hatton -4
T2. Viktor Hovland -4
T2. Billy Horschel -4
T5. Gary Woodland -3
T5. Chris Kirk -3
T7. Lucas Herbert -2
T7. Talor Gooch -2
Other Australians
T26. Adam Scott
T52. Matt Jones
T68. Marc Leishman
MC. Cam Davis
MC. Min Woo Lee
Photo credit: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
