Scottie Scheffler wins Arnold Palmer Invitational to secure his second title in three starts

By Matias Grez, CNN

Updated 1120 GMT (1920 HKT) March 7, 2022

Scottie Scheffler poses with the trophy after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

(CNN)Scottie Scheffler had to overcome not only a stacked field to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but also some brutal conditions that left many of the world's top golfers reeling from a grueling weekend of action.

Scheffler's gutsy win at Bay Hill was his second title in three starts after winning February's Phoenix Open, victories that will push the 25-year-old American into the world's top five for the first time.Extra long rough and rapid greens were compounded by windy conditions over the weekend, but Scheffler recorded a bogey free back nine — including two impressive par saves on 15 and 16 — to take home the $2.16 million prize money.«It feels great to be able to win here,» Scheffler told reporters after finishing on five-under par, one clear of Viktor Hovland, Billy Horschel and Tyrrell Hatton. «To be completely honest with you, right now I'm exhausted. This course is a total beatdown trying to play. I'm very pleased I didn't have to play any extra holes today.»Read MoreREAD: Tiger Woods wins $8M award for generating positive media interest on PGA Tour — despite playing just one tournamentFour-time major winner Rory McIlroy hit eight-over par across the weekend to drop to one over for the tournament and a tie for 13th.«I feel punch drunk, to be honest,» McIlroy, who at one point snapped a club in frustration, told reporters. «It's like crazy golf. You just don't get rewarded for good shots. It can knock your confidence whenever the conditions are like this.»Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, features, and videosAmerican Gary Woodland had a share of the lead going