Tyrell Hatton survived a twoover 74 in his final round to post a oneshot win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational
Tyrell Hatton overcame high winds and jittery nerves to capture his first PGA title and fifth worldwide.
Hatton kept it together down the stretch Sunday by playing bogey-free over the last seven holes for a 2-over 74 to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
He had a three-shot lead when he drove into the water on the par-4 11th into the wind. Hatton went well over the green with his third shot, chipped short of the putting surface and had to make a 6-footer for a double bogey.
But his challengers also faltered. Marc Leishman avoided major disaster and still closed with a 73 to end up one shot behind Hatton. Rory McIlroy began the day one shot back before carding a 76, his highest closing round in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event since a 76 in the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion.
McIlroy still tied for fifth, his eighth consecutive finish in the top 5 worldwide dating to September.
Third-place finisher Sungjae Im was in serious contention until he came up shockingly short and into the water on the 13th for a double bogey.
Hatton's 4-under total made him one of only four players who beat par for the week, the fewest at Bay Hill since 1980.
with files from (The Associated Press)