Tiger Woods reclaimed the world number one ranking courtesy of a two-stroke victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Monday. Woods carded a two-under-par 70 final round at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge to finish on 13 under overall, ahead of Justin Rose. The American&aposs third win of the season – his 77th PGA Tour victory – sees him overhaul rival Rory McIlroy in the rankings, nearly three years since he last held top spot. The 14-time major winner began the final day&aposs action three shots clear after inclement weather forced organisers to suspend play on Sunday. And he extended that lead ahead of countryman Rickie Fowler with two birdies early on. Fowler, searching for a second PGA Tour title, reduced the deficit to two strokes with a lengthy birdie putt on the 14th but fell out of contention following a triple bogey at the par-five 16th. Woods birdied the same hole and could afford a dropped shot at the 18th to take out the event for the eighth time. Rose ended the tournament in outright second on 11 under after a final-round 70. The Englishman finished three shots clear of American trio Fowler (73), Mark Wilson (71) and Keegan Bradley (71), who were joined by Spaniard Gonzalo Fdez-Castano (72) in a tie for third. Dane Thorbjorn Olesen hit a one-over 73 but did enough to earn sole possession of seventh spot on seven under. Completing the top 10 were William McGirt (68), Henrik Stenson (71), Bill Haas (74), Jimmy Walker (74) and Ken Duke (74), who all finished seven shots off the pace.
Author: Omnisport