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Stefan Tonev
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Kurt Kitayama edges out Rory Mcllroy for maiden PGA Tour win
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The American golfer overcome the odds to defeat Mcllroy by one shot

The bookies favorite Rory Mcllroy missed out on victory against Kurt Kitayama, who kept his composure and secured the Arnold Palmer Invitational for his first win in the PGA Tour.


“I’ve been dreaming of this for a while,” he said. “I’ve been close and to finally get it done feels amazing.”

Kitayama produced a level-par 72 on the final day which included four birdies, a bogey and a triple bogey.

McIlroy had five bogeys in his final round, which also contained seven birdies as he shot two under on the last day.

The Northern Irishman didn’t hide his frustration as he finished second tied with American Harris English.

“It’s disappointing,” said the dejected McIlroy. “I felt like I gave myself a great chance after a birdie on the 13th and then to play the final five holes in one over par, with this jam-packed leaderboard, isn’t really going to get it done.

“It was a battle all day. I felt like I hung in there really well and just came up one short in the end.”

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler (73) was also on seven under, along with fellow countryman Patrick Cantlay (68) and England’s Tyrrell Hatton (72).