Francesco Molinari blitzes final round to clinch Bay Hill crown
Italy’s Francesco Molinari produced a putting masterclass at Bay Hill on Sunday to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational by two strokes.
The reigning Open champion did not miss a single putt from inside 15 feet as he charged from five shots back to snatch victory with a bogey-free eight-under par 64.
“Incredible,” Molinari said. “It’s high up there with the best wins I’ve had.”
Having looked imperious on the greens throughout the day to pick up seven birdies, Molinari promptly holed another 43-foot monster on the 18th to put himself firmly in the driving seat.
🇮🇹 @F_Molinari's clutch birdie on the 72nd hole @APinv is even more exciting when called by @GOLFTV's Italian broadcasters. 🔊 pic.twitter.com/uFE5INGzNq
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) 10 March 2019
He then watched on from the clubhouse as all the groups behind him failed to get close to his 12-under-par total.
2019 @apinv champion @F_Molinari watches as he officially earns his third @PGATOUR title. pic.twitter.com/GcloopEVQt
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) 10 March 2019
“I could have done a lot more than that to be honest,” Molinari said. “It was really amazing to see.
“I’m just super glad. It’s great to get it done here at Arnie’s place, knowing my wife and kids are watching back home.
“It’s a special, special one. Arnie was a special player but also a special person and a global icon. He and Jack (Nicklaus) were up there with the gods.”
Cheers to Arnie!
From champion @F_Molinari. pic.twitter.com/i96Y2gb8LP
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) 10 March 2019
Overnight leader Matthew Fitzpatrick had to settle for second place after a final-round 71, with South Korea’s Im Sung-jae (68), England’s Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Spain’s Rafa Cabrera Bello (69) sharing third a further shot back.
It was sadly another forgettable day for Rory McIlroy, who started the final round one shot off the lead but finished it four shots back after a lackluster level-par 72.
It marked the seventh time in the last 12 months that he played in the final group on the last day without a victory to show for it.
Latest
-
NewsDanny Willett undergoes surgery after suffering with appendicitis
The 33-year-old Englishman said in a post on his official Twitter account that the operation also removed a hernia.
-
Dave TindallUS Open betting clues: what some of the top players are saying about Torrey Pines
A look at what the leading stars are saying about this month’s US Open venue.
-
NewsEmotional Marcus Armitage finally achieves his winning dream in Hamburg
Armitage stormed through the field with a closing 65 to finish on eight under par and claim his first European Tour title.
-
NewsMarcus Armitage wins first European Tour title after superb final day in Hamburg
The Englishman clinched the title with a closing 65.
-
NewsMatthew Southgate in share of lead heading into final round of European Open
The Englishman is tied with Australian Maverick Antcliff.
-
NewsJon Rahm’s US Open preparations disrupted by positive Covid-19 test
Rahm held a six-shot lead before being informed he had returned a positive test.
-
NewsCovid forces leader Jon Rahm to withdraw from Memorial Tournament
The Spaniard returned a positive Covid test while on the course for his third round.
-
NewsHenrik Stenson confident he can return to winning ways after two barren years
The former Open champion has dropped to 142nd in the world rankings.
-
NewsJustin Thomas offers to act as a mentor to mini-tour player Mike Visacki
The world number two has also given money to help him finance his career.
-
