Laird completes 1-shot Bay Hill victory

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ORLANDO, Fla., March 27 (UPI) -- Martin Laird notched three birdies over a five-hole stretch on the back nine Sunday en route to a 3-over-par 75 and the Arnold Palmer Invitational title.

Scotland's Laird became the first European to win the event at Bay Hill Resort in Florida with an 8-under 280, one stroke better than Steve Marino.

Marino held a late lead but bogeyed the 15th and double-bogeyed the 17th to fall off the pace, finishing at minus-7. He managed to birdie the 18th Sunday, ending with an even-par 72.

Sharing third place were David Toms (72), Justin Rose (68) and Marc Leishman at 6-under 282.

Six-time Bay Hill winner Tiger Woods was working on an unblemished round until closing with a bogey and double-bogey. He ended tied with 1997 winner Phil Mickelson and others for 24th place at 1-under 287.