PGA Tour
Arnold Palmer Invitational
DeChambeau Wins The King’s Tournament
Bryson DeChambeau collected the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Florida.
The baulked up 27-year-old American claimed his eighth PGA Tour title by one shot over England’s Lee Westwood.
Early in the final round four players held a share of the lead at 10-under—DeChambeau, Westwood, Corey Conners and Jordan Spieth.
Spieth was chasing his first win on the PGA Tour in 80 starts. The 27-year-old began the final round two shots off the pace and held a share of the lead after birdies at the fourth and sixth holes. Three bogeys at the final four holes thwarted his chance to return to the winner’s circle. Spieth finished the event at 6-under and in a tie for fourth place with fellow Americans Andrew Putnam and Richy Werenski.
Canada’s Corey Conners, who started the final round one back, fell to three shots off the lead until he made a dramatic eagle at the par 5, 16th hole. It was his third eagle for the week at that hole. Conners bogeyed his final two holes to drop from contention. He finished at 8-under and in outright third place.
Westwood, who was in search of his third PGA Tour win, held the 54-hole lead by one shot over DeChambeau and Conners. The 47-year-old became the first player to hold the 54-hole lead at a PGA Tour event in each of the past four decades. He held the narrow advantage after he fired 7-under 65 on Saturday to card his best score in 49 attempts at this event. Westwood covered the front nine on Sunday in 1-over 37 to sit one back from DeChambeau. The 2020 Race to Dubai winner then drained a 28-foot birdie putt at the 12th hole to tie for the lead. A three-putt bogey at the 14th hole handed the lead back to DeChambeau. Westwood finished at 10-under and in outright second place.
DeChambeau was rock solid over the final round after beginning the day with his only bogey at the opening hole. The 2020 US Open champion then produced two birdies and peeled off 15 pars including holing a tricky five-foot putt at the final hole to sign for a 1-under 71. It was the equal best final round score.
Jason Day was the only Australian to make the 36-hole cut. He finished at 1-over and in a tie for 31st place.
The PGA Tour remains in Florida for The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass. Rory McIlroy is the defending champion.
Final Scores
Arnold Palmer Invitational
1. Byrson DeChambeau -11
2. Lee Westwood -10
3. Corey Conners -8
T4. Jordan Spieth -6
T4. Andrew Putnam -6
T4. Richy Werenski -6
Australians
T31. Jason Day +1
MC. Marc Leishman
MC. Matt Jones
MC. Cameron Davis
MC. Cameron Percy
Photo credit: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
