Rory McIlroy said he had missed the ‘buzz’ after winning his first major title for 18 months with victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The Northern Irishman won by three strokes at Bay Hill thanks to a brilliant final round.
He put in a bogey free 64 and spoke of his delight afterwards.
‘It was awesome,’ McIlroy said. ‘To feel the buzz of being around the lead and reeling off those four birdies – I really have missed it. I’m really proud of myself and so happy to at last get the win.
‘I knew I was close. Nobody would believe me. I went through a few rough weeks but with golf, it’s never that far away.’
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McIlroy completed his round with an impressive birdie putt which afterwards the 28-year-old said was his attempt to emulate Tiger Woods.
McIlroy said: ‘I have seen Tiger make that putt here for the win often enough and I was trying to emulate that.’
Much of the focus over the weekend had been on the impressive Woods but the veteran eventually finished tied-fifth after back-to-back bogeys late in his round put him out of contention.
Despite having at one stage looked capable of challenging, Woods was more than happy with his performance.
‘If you would have asked me at the beginning of the year if I’d have a chance to win two tournaments, I would have taken it in a heartbeat,’ Woods said.
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With The Masters just two weeks away, the excitement is building perfectly.
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