Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus lead tributes to Rory McIlroy after Bay Hill victory charge
By Keith Jackson
Monday 19 March 2018 15:58, UK
The manner of Rory McIlroy's spectacular victory at Bay Hill would have made Arnold Palmer proud, according to Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
McIlroy birdied five of the last six holes to card a flawless final-round 64 and land his first title since clinching the 2016 Tour Championship - on the day Palmer passed away at the age of 87 - and his swashbuckling finale prompted comparisons with the style of Palmer in his heyday.
Image:McIlroy finished with a barrage of birdies to end his winless run at Arnold Palmer's home club
Nicklaus and Woods were adamant that Palmer would have been delighted with McIlroy's performance down the stretch, while the third member of golf's "Big Three", Gary Player, urged the champion to stick with the strict fitness regime which the South African pioneered in the sport.
Social media channels were packed full of glowing praise for McIlroy, whose putting over the tournament was statistically the best of his career, and he will now head to Augusta National in a fortnight flowing with confidence ahead of his latest bid for a career Grand Slam of majors.
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