Scottie Scheffler successfully emerged from a golf tournament so attritional it was worthy of an X-rating. Rory McIlroy snapped a wedge in half. Adam Scott, the nicest man on the fairways, declined post-round media duties on the basis he had “nothing good to say”. Another of the world’s elite wandered around the Bay Hill car park, claiming to be “looking for the USGA sign”. This was indeed far more US Open than standard Tour stop.
Scheffler will care little about the backdrop. A fourth round of 72 secured the Arnold Palmer Invitational by one, at five under par, from Tyrrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland and Billy Horschel. There was contrasting emotion therein. Hatton’s 69 was superb. Hovland could fare no better than plus five over the weekend. “This stings,” Hovland admitted. Horschel watched a 30ft putt slide by on the 72nd green. If it had gone in, he would have forced extra holes.
