The slowest of burners preceded such a dramatic conclusion. The biggest victory of Russell Henley’s career arrived as Collin Morikawa was left to ponder how on earth he failed to close out the Arnold Palmer Invitational. For much of Sunday, Morikawa had looked untouchable.
Henley took to the 71st tee of the event holding the lead for the first time. He had claimed that with an astonishing chip in for an eagle on the 16th. This completed a four-shot swing in only three holes. Henley birdied the 14th as Morikawa bogeyed. After Henley’s exploits two holes later, Morikawa had no scope for recovery. Henley’s 11 under par took the Bay Hill tournament by a single stroke. He had trailed Morikawa by three after 10 fourth-round holes.
Related: Keegan Bradley surprised ‘kick their ass’ comment was broadcast on Netflix
“Sometimes golf is just mean like that,” said the 35-year-old in respect of what played out for Morikawa. “This game is unbelievably hard. That [winning] was just so difficult.” The understated Henley, who won for the first time since 2022, has quietly catapulted himself into elite golfing company. A Ryder Cup debut in September looks highly likely.
Morikawa may take some time to process this. His non-appearance for post-round media duties said it all on that front. A harsh reality is that the Californian has not kicked on in the manner predicted when he won majors in 2020 and 2021.
Canada’s Corey Conners took third at nine under, one ahead of Michael Kim. Conners has qualified for the Open at Portrush courtesy of this finish.
Keegan Bradley endorsed the theory he could qualify for his own US Ryder Cup team with a stunning 64. That earned Bradley a tie for fifth. Shane Lowry, who finished one shy of Bradley’s seven-under aggregate, was left to rue a third round of 76.
Rory McIlroy’s week ended with a 72 – he failed to break 70 over four days at Bay Hill – for a share of 15th. The Northern Irishman had put a new driver and fairway woods in play but reverted to the previous models before the final round. “I just went back to what was familiar and what’s comfortable,” McIlroy said.
“It’s a blessing and a curse at the same time that we sort of have to go through these 12-month club cycles. I probably just didn’t give myself enough time. It’s totally different, it can look good on the Trackman and it can look good on the range at home at the Bear’s Club or on the golf course but once you get out here in these conditions that’s where it really shows itself and it just wasn’t quite ready.”
McIlroy referenced damage caused to Augusta National by Hurricane Helene last year as cause to visit the Masters venue before the first major of the year, which takes place in early April. “I think it’s just going to be a little bit different this year,” McIlroy said. “There’s some areas of the course that are maybe a little thinner, tree-wise.”
