Jason Day Claims Arnold Palmer Golf Invitational

Jason Day turned his fortunes at just the right time Sunday by making a 12-foot birdie putt and then saving par from a bunker just under 100 feet away to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

It was another great moment for Palmer, the 86-year-old tournament host who watched it all unfold on the 18th green.

Day closed with a 2-under 70 for a 1-shot victory over Kevin Chappell, who looked as if he might finally win in his 150th start on the PGA Tour. Chappell didn't flinch on the back nine until his tee shot was buried in deep rough on the 18th, which forced him to lay up. He hit wedge to 25 feet and was ready to putt when he heard the big roar after Day made birdie on the 17th to tie for the lead.

"Being honest, kind of had me rattled a little bit," Chappell said. He left his par putt well short and made bogey for a 69.

The closing hole at Bay Hill was just as tough for Day. With a 1-shot lead after Chappell made bogey, Day took water out of play from the right rough and went well left of the green into a bunker 95 feet away with water on the other side of the green. Day blasted out to 4 feet and made par for his first victory of the year.

He moves to No. 2 in the world and will have a chance to overtake Jordan Spieth next week in the Dell Match Play.