You’d figure that Rory McIlroy would “school” amateur Bryson DeChambeau on Sunday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
You’d figure the world’s No. 2 would dance circles around the kid whose biggest wins are the U.S. Amateur and the NCAA individual title. After all, McIlroy owns three of the world’s four major championships.
That wasn’t the case as the two played together on a sunny final day at Bay Hill.
It took a 59-foot birdie putt by McIlroy at the 18th and the three-putt by DeChambeau for McIlroy to outscore the former SMU golfer.
Final tally: McIlroy 65, DeChambeau 66.
It was a heck of an exhibition by both players as both finished six-under for the event, another feather in DeChambeau’s Hogan-cap, another big accomplishment during his self-titled “internship.” It’s also a huge momentum builder for DeChambeau as the next time we see him will be at the Masters.
The front nine was lights out for both. DeChambeau’s five birdies sent him out in 31 but McIlroy bested him thanks to an 18-foot eagle putt at the par five sixth that helped him go out in just 30 shots.
McIlroy’s round was threatened by a double at the 14th but he made up for it with a spectacular second into the par five 16th that left him just a six-foot putt away from a second eagle. Birdies at 15 and 16 got DeChambeau to seven-under for his round.
It all came down to 18 where McIlroy made his bomb from the far left portion of the green to the cup cut on the far right, directly over the water, the traditional Sunday location.
DeChambeau three-putted from 66 feet to end up six-under.
An impressive showing from both.
McIlroy will go on to the WGC Match Play where he is the defending champion.
DeChambeau? More practice rounds at Augusta, no doubt.
