Scottie Scheffler produced a dazzling six-under-par final round to obliterate the competition at Bay Hill, as he romped to a classy victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational by five shots.
But Scheffler blew them all away with an irresistible display of big drives, good approaches and some fine putting to secure his first win in a year at Bay Hill to collect $4million and cement his position as World No.1.
Speaking after his round, the 27-year-old said: "I played a good round of golf, we got off to a good start and I tried my best to keep it rolling. I didn't look at many leaderboards today and stayed in my own little space and just tried to keep pushing. As I made the turn on the back nine I knew I had a good few shots lead.
"I stayed in my process and tried to have a good attitude. I played well. Anytime you can win Arnie's tournament it is pretty special, he meant a lot to the game of golf and us as professionals. It is an honour to win here."
Lowry, who came third, said: "I got beaten by the World No.1. It was exhibition stuff."
ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL LEADERBOARD
- -15 SCHEFFLER
- -10 CLARK
- -9 LOWRY
- -7 HENLEY, ZALATORIS
ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL QUICK LINKS
- Arnold Palmer Invitational Prize Money Payout
- Arnold Palmer Invitational Tee Times And Pairings
- How Can I Play Bay Hill?
Updates from...
SPIETH BACK IN THE CLUBHOUSE AFTER EVENTFUL ROUND
Jordan Spieth is currently tied 36th after a -3 round today to finish +1 for the tournament. His round included a remarkable par save on the par 5 16th when he was forced to play one shot left-handed.
Another day, another ridiculous par save from @JordanSpieth. (Presented by @CDWCorp) pic.twitter.com/qfEPsySZ32March 10, 2024
McILROY LOOKING OUT OF SORTS
Rory's odds of coming from behind look to be increasing after an unconvincing start despite the Northern Irishman remaining -5. The world No.2 pulled his first two approaches but still saved par on the first and second. His approach to the third was also ropey as he missed the green on the right.
TROUBLE FOR MCILROY AT PAR FIVE FOURTH
Rory's start is going from bad to worse. He dropped a shot to slip back to -4 following a bogey at the third when he missed the green from 146 yards. Now on the fourth he has driven into a hazard off the tee from where he could only hack it out from a terrible lie as he went on to record a bogey.
LOWRY'S CHALLENGE ALREADY FADING FAST
Shane Lowry started the day level with Scottie Scheffler but is already now three shots back after two opening bogeys after missing both the first two greens.
SCHEFFLER LOOKING COMPOSED AND CONFIDENT
Scottie Scheffler has made nine straight one-putts. This is the most in his career on TOUR. pic.twitter.com/wSAh4wrsZvMarch 10, 2024
SCHEFFLER IN THICK ROUGH AT THE FOURTH BUT MAY SCRAMBLE PAR
Scheffler has missed the fairway off the tee at the par five fourth but powered a recovery shot out of thick rough to give him a chance of making the green in regulation.
McILROY FIND WATER AT THE PAR 5 SIXTH
Raise the putter and walk it in.@JustinThomas34 moves to T3 with his third birdie of the day. pic.twitter.com/BvW193qpW0March 10, 2024
ROLLERCOASTER ROUND FOR CLARK SO FAR
A surprise birdie is always a bonus.Looked good the whole way, @Wyndham_Clark! pic.twitter.com/zjxXvPXnyqMarch 10, 2024
CONTRASTING FORTUNES FOR TWO CHALLENGERS
Matsuyama has just missed a tiny putt on the eighth to drop a shot but Clark continues to push hard to hunt down Scheffler after firing his approach to the par four eighth to 13 feet. Clark's attempt just slides by though and Scheffler's two-shot lead remains.
DAY TO FORGET FOR McILROY
He will have teed off with the leader in his sights but right now, at +6 for the day after only 12 holes, McIlroy is just playing to save face and regain some confidence in his swing.
SCHEFFLER'S BALL STRIKING IS IMPERIOUS
Leader by FIVE!Scottie Scheffler takes a commanding lead @APInv with a birdie on No. 11. pic.twitter.com/YYNHlZQs9VMarch 10, 2024
THEEGALA IN CLUBHOUSE AT -5 AFTER -4 TODAY
Scheffler is making this Bay Hill course look easy but that is clearly not the case. Sahith Theegala has just finished with a final round 68, he insisted: "The course is brutal, it is a lot calmer than yesterday but every hole is a grind. It is one of the toughest golf courses we play all year."
SCHEFFLER RECORDS SUCCESSIVE PARS ON 12 & 13
Scheffler , who is working with renown putting guru Phil Kenyon, has just two putted for par at the 12th. The flat stick has often been Scheffler's weakest club but his work with it is clearly paying off. He has also changed putter recently to a TaylorMade Spider Tour X and it is clearly going very well.
SCHEFFLER SMOKES ANOTHER DRIVE ON TO THE FAIRWAY AT 15
The lead is SIX for Scottie Scheffler. No. 15 is the second-hardest hole this week, but Scheffler has made birdie there three straight days. pic.twitter.com/Rw5CLIqHt0March 10, 2024
SCHEFFLER SECURES TITLE WITH SENSATIONAL DISPLAY
Scheffler has a bogey-free card today to stand at -6 for the day and -15 overall. He looks set to preserve that record up or better it up the last after a fine drive which left him a 155 yard approach to 16 feet as the American walked up to the green to chants of: "Scottie, Scottie." His birdie attempt slid by but he taps in for a birdie and his seventh PGA tour victory.