ORLANDO, Fla. _ Marc Leishman hit a 51-foot eagle putt on the 16th hole, helping him win the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday at Bay Hill Golf Club and Lodge.
Leishman, who finished 11-under overall, clinched his second career PGA Tour victory with a strong finish. He also punched his ticket to Masters. In 2016, Leishman left the season's first major when wife suffered near-fatal illness.
Kevin Kisner and Charley Hoffman wrapped up the tournament one shot behind the Australian tied for second place. Kisner had a chance to win, but he couldn't deliver a birdie or better on 18.
Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton tied for fourth at 9-under.
On Sunday at Bay Hill, Leishman grabbed the lead for good with a 51-foot eagle putt on the par-5 16th hole.
He then saved par from the back bunker on the par-3 17th hole, sinking an seven-foot to maintain his one-shot lead over Kisner and Hoffman, the 54-hole co-leaders. Each carded 1-over par 73s Sunday.
Hoping to find the fairway on the demanding par-4 18th hole, Leishman backed off his tee shot He then knocked it into the deep rough right of the fairway to force a layup left of the green. But the 33-year-old Aussie hit a pitch shot from 45 yards to three feet to set up par.
Defending Arnold Palmer Invitational winner Jason Day finished tied for 23rd.
Leishman's win capped a week full of tributes to golf legend Arnold Palmer, the tournament's namesake who died last year. It is the first year the tournament was held without The King, but a mix of tournament organizers and PGA pros vowed to honor him by keeping the event going strong for years to come.
