SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 10 hrs 45 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Marc Leishman holds off Rory McIlroy charge to win Arnold Palmer Invitational

:Headline: Result: Marc Leishman holds off Rory McIlroy charge to win Arnold Palmer Invitational: ID:294174: from db_amp
Marc Leishman produces a 50-foot eagle on the 16th to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational ahead of Kevin Kisner, Charley Hoffman and Rory McIlroy.

Marc Leishman held off Kevin Kisner, Charley Hoffman and a late charge from Rory McIlroy to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill this evening.

The Australian produced a stunning eagle from 50 feet on the 16th to move into the lead for the first time, and he held his nerve with back-to-back pars on the final two holes to take an 11-under lead into the clubhouse.

Overnight leaders Kisner and Hoffman were unable to chase him down, with the former failing to find the birdie he needed to force a playoff and Hoffman recovering from a bogey on the 17th with a birdie on the last to ensure a tie of second place, one behind Leishman.

McIlroy also forced his way into the equation despite having been four-over-par at one stage earlier in the tournament, powering back from a five-shot deficit at the start of play on the final day.

However, the Northern Irishman, who will still climb up to second in the world rankings, blew his chance on the final hole after seeing Leishman take control with his eagle and was forced to settle for third place alongside England's Tyrrell Hatton.

"I thought going out today if I could shoot anything in the 60s it would be a good score. Obviously I was trying to shoot a couple lower than that but overall played well, I'm really pleased with how I went this weekend and can take a lot of positives from it," McIlroy told Sky Sports News.

"I saw Leishman eagle 16 so I thought I really needed to try and hole it and I was overly aggressive with it and missed the one coming back, but it's been a good week and if anything, to be one over after two rounds and come up like this, it's a great weekend.

"I can't complain too much. It would have been nice to give it a bit of a better go, I had two chances on 17 and 18 there, but hopefully I can get back up on the horse next week and try and get a win at the (WGC-Dell Technologies) Match Play."

Leishman added: "It's amazing. It's been quite a while and my son keeps reminding me - daddy why don't you ever win the trophy? I've been trying extra hard for him and it was great today that he was here and a special day with everything honouring Mr Palmer.

"You always want to win to honour the greats and it's a special year this year. It would have been great if he was up there standing on the back of the green but to win at his place is a dream come true."

The victory is only Leishman's second PGA Tour title.

amp_article__294174 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2017-03-23 10:39:48:
html db last update - 2021-03-11 13:17:42 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .