It's taken a lot longer than many would have suspected, but, Rory McIlroy is finally back to winning ways after 18 barren months.
At the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Irish man held off the attention of, among others, Tiger Woods as a highly competitive final round was successfully negotiated.
Showing something of the kind of form many had come to expect of McIlroy, he was in tremendous form throughout and began to build a narrow lead as the back nine developed.
Although Tiger Woods and Henrik Stenson looked to be the two golfers that McIlroy would have to fend off for the win, in the end it was the 24-year-old Bryson DeChambeau who drove McIlroy closest.
In the end however, his score of -18 was enough to see McIlroy through; his round of 64 a truly impressive performance when it counted most.
Below you can see his outstanding finish for birdie on the 18th.
ARE YOU KIDDING?? 🙌@McIlroyRory ends with five birdies on the last six holes. #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/PY1l3GUo8l
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 18, 2018
This birdie on the 13th gave McIlroy a temporary hold on the lead outright.
Rory is ROLLING.@McIlroyRory takes the outright lead at 14 under. #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/pnWoe5ELq0
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 18, 2018
With shots like this on the 15th, the confidence was clearly flowing and McIlroy looked absolutely unplayable.
🐦 THREE 🐦 STRAIGHT 🐦@McIlroyRory can't miss!#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/9GaGvQb3ay
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 18, 2018
There was a whirlwind of support for McIlroy as he demonstrated his prowess once again.
Eight birdies.
Zero bogeys.
👏👏, @McIlroyRory. pic.twitter.com/f1C0XGn4xR— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 18, 2018
RORS! What a putting exhibition 👏🏽👏🏽 @McIlroyRory
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) March 18, 2018
Yes @McIlroyRory. 5 birdies in the last 6 holes to surely clinch it. Well played.
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 18, 2018
There is still nobody in golf like Rory McIlroy when he is on fire. Best to watch by a country mile.
— Ewan Murray (@mrewanmurray) March 18, 2018
When Rory gets going he is unbeatable, Tiger in his prime would struggle to keep up
— Darragh Culhane (@DarraghCulhane) March 18, 2018
Tiger Woods: I'm back
Rory McIlroy: Hold my Beer— McNeil (@Reflog_18) March 18, 2018
That boy @McIlroyRory locked in...
— andre (@andre) March 18, 2018
He’s just driven it 375 yards, what a joke @McIlroyRory 🔥 #BayHill #ArnoldPalmerInvitational
— Stew Whiting (@StewWhiting) March 18, 2018
Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods roaring back weeks before the Masters is the coolest thing that's happened for golf in a while.
— Robert Mays (@robertmays) March 18, 2018
Safe to say @McIlroyRory has the putter figured out.
And every other club as well— Michael Breed (@MichaelBreed) March 18, 2018
What a round of golf from @McIlroyRory . Game looks so solid just in time for Augusta 👀🔥
— Jamie Fenton (@JamieFenton__) March 18, 2018
Since making a bogey on the 11th hole Saturday, Rory McIlroy is -10 and bogey free on his last 23 holes. https://t.co/oUl53UyHPz
— Michael Collins (@ESPNCaddie) March 18, 2018
