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The reigning U.S. Open champion, who was one
stroke back from the lead heading into Sunday's action, started
the day with a bogey at Bay Hill Club & Lodge but recovered
quickly, claiming his second of two birdies on six courtesy of a
monster 377-yard drive.
DeChambeau (71) let out a roar after holding on for par on the
final hole to defeat England's Lee Westwood (73) by one stroke
and was near tears reflecting on the significance of winning
golf legend Palmer's eponymous tournament, which Woods has won
eight times.
"I got a text from Tiger this morning ... We just talked about
'just keep fighting, no matter what happens' and play boldly
like Mr. Palmer," DeChambeau said in a televised interview.
Woods suffered a fractured right leg and a shattered ankle after
a car accident last month, stunning the golf world and calling
into question the future of the 45-year-old's career.
"My heart has been heavy with Tiger and what's been going on
with him and I just kept telling myself, 'It's not how many
times you get kicked down, it's about how many times you get
picked back up and you keep going,'" said DeChambeau. "And
that's what I surely did out there today."
(Reporting by Amy Tennery; editing by Richard Pullin)
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