Tournaments

Tyrrell Hatton had several choice gestures for the 11th hole at Bay Hill after his double bogey

Tyrrell Hatton reacts to a missed putt during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

With its water-plagued holes, tricky greens and strong winds to boot, Bay Hill has given pro golfers fits this week. Brooks Koepka shot 81 on Saturday — his highest round on Tour ever — and Rory McIlroy played the front nine in 40 on Sunday.

Even 54-hole leader Tyrrell Hatton had his troubles early on Sunday, making bogeys on 1 and 5 before rebounding with a pair of birdies on 7 and 8. Hatton made the turn in even par (six under for the day) and held a three-shot lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

But Hatton, who like many pros showed signs of frustration already, found trouble at the par-4 11th and then had some choice gestures for the hole and bordering lake. It started when Hatton’s drive went left and into the water, which led to a drop and missed green on his approach. After a chip that was still short of the green and came to rest on the fringe, Hatton putted to within six feet, lifted his putter and made a shotgun motion toward the lake, which was follow by a middle finger.

Hatton made double bogey, and after he picked up his ball from the hole he made one final gesture toward the lake, apparently for good measure.

The dreaded double bogey dropped Hatton into a tie for the lead with Sungjae Im, but Im made a double bogey shortly after to give back the lead. Hatton, to his credit, played well down the stretch and parred the final seven holes to shoot 74 and beat Marc Leishman by one, claiming his first career PGA Tour victory.

To receive GOLF’s all-new newsletters, subscribe for free here.

Exit mobile version