Rory McIlroy returns with three-shot win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational

Rory McIlroy smashed through the field on Sunday to claim his first win in 18 months.

Rory McIlroy continues the roll call of big names returning to the winner’s circle with a three-stroke victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

McIlroy who has been hampered by injury over the past 12 months surged on Sunday with five birdies in his final six holes to claim his first victory since the 2016 TOUR Championship.

The win was capped off with this special birdie at the final hole. McIlroy said afterwards that he’d seen Woods hole the same putt so many times he knew exactly how it was going to roll out.

McIlroy rose to the top with a host of big name players vying for the lead including Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Tiger Woods.

At one stage Woods was just one stroke behind before two late bogeys squashed any chance of victory. As Woods explains below, the drive at the par-5 16th went awry after not committing to the shot.