Scottie Scheffler Wins Arnold Palmer Invitational with Final Round 66 at Bay Hill

Scottie Scheffler delivered another masterclass performance Tuesday at Bay Hill Club, firing a brilliant final-round 66 to come from three shots behind and capture the Arnold Palmer Invitational for the second consecutive year, further cementing his status as golf's premier player.

The world No. 1 was in complete control during the final round, making seven birdies against just one bogey to finish at 18-under par and claim victory by two shots over Viktor Hovland. Scheffler's closing 66 was highlighted by a spectacular eagle on the par-5 16th hole, where he holed a 35-foot putt that effectively sealed his 15th PGA Tour victory.

"This place holds such a special meaning for all of us in golf," Scheffler said during the trophy ceremony. "To win Arnie's tournament again feels incredible. I felt really good about my game all week, and everything came together perfectly in the final round. The putter was working beautifully when I needed it most."

Scheffler entered the final round three shots behind overnight leader Xander Schauffele, but quickly erased the deficit with birdies on the first three holes. His steady play throughout the middle of the round kept him in contention before the late eagle put him in command heading into the challenging closing holes.

Hovland mounted a valiant charge with a closing 65, including six birdies over his final nine holes, but came up just short of forcing a playoff. The Norwegian's runner-up finish was his best result of the 2026 season and moved him back into the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking.

Rory McIlroy finished third at 15-under par after a final-round 68, while Schauffele struggled to a 73 and dropped into a tie for fourth place. The challenging Bay Hill layout proved its worth once again, demanding precision and patience from the world's best players.

The victory was Scheffler's third of the 2026 season and extended his incredible run of form that has seen him win 15 of his last 30 starts on the PGA Tour. His combination of elite ball-striking, improved putting, and mental toughness makes him the clear favorite heading into next week's Players Championship and the upcoming Masters Tournament.