Arnold Palmer Invitational

The Arnold Palmer Invitational is a professional golf tournament in Florida on the PGA Tour. It is played each March at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge, a private golf resort owned since 1974 by Arnold Palmer in Bay Hill, a suburb southwest of Orlando.

Arnold Palmer Invitational
Tournament information
LocationBay Hill, Florida, U.S.
Established1966, 55 years ago
Course(s)Bay Hill Club and Lodge
(1979–present)
Par72
Length7,454 yards (6,816 m)
Tour(s)PGA Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fund$9.3 million
Month playedMarch
Tournament record score
Aggregate264 Payne Stewart (1987)
To par−23 Buddy Allin (1973)
Current champion
Tyrrell Hatton
Bay Hill
Location in the United States
Bay
Hill
Location in Florida

The event was founded in 1979 as a successor to the Florida Citrus Open Invitational, which debuted in 1966 and was played at Rio Pinar Country Club, east of Orlando, through 1978. Arnold Palmer won the Florida Citrus Open in 1971.

Since 1979, the tournament title has had a number of different names, most of them including "Bay Hill," but has played under the Palmer name since 2007. On March 21, 2012, the Arnold Palmer Invitational and MasterCard Worldwide announced an extension to MasterCard's "Presented by" sponsorship until the 2016 tournament.[1][2]

In June 2014, the PGA Tour approved a resolution to grant the winner a three-year exemption, one more than regular Tour events and on par with winners of the World Golf Championships, The Tour Championship, and the Memorial Tournament.[3]

Beginning with the 2017 tournament, the winner receives a red cardigan sweater in memory of Arnold Palmer.[4]

In 2019, the event was added to the Open Qualifying Series, giving up to three non-exempt players entry into The Open Championship.[5]

Invitational status

The Arnold Palmer Invitational is one of only five tournaments given "invitational" status by the PGA Tour, and consequently it has a reduced field of only 120 players (as opposed to most full-field open tournaments with a field of 156 players). The other four tournaments with invitational status are the Genesis Open, RBC Heritage, the Fort Worth Invitational, and the Memorial Tournament. Invitational tournaments have smaller fields (between 120 and 132 players), and have more freedom than full-field open tournaments in determining which players are eligible to participate in their event, as invitational tournaments are not required to fill their fields using the PGA Tour Priority Ranking System. Furthermore, unlike full-field open tournaments, invitational tournaments do not offer open qualifying (aka Monday qualifying).

Field

The field consists of 120 players invited using the following criteria:[6]

  1. Arnold Palmer Invitational winners prior to 2000 and in the last five years
  2. The Players Championship and major championship winners in the last five years
  3. The Tour Championship, World Golf Championships, and Memorial Tournament winners in the past three years
  4. Tournament winners in the past year
  5. Playing member of last named U.S. Ryder Cup team; current PGA Tour members who were playing members on last named European Ryder Cup team, U.S. Presidents Cup team, and International Presidents Cup team
  6. Prior year U.S. Amateur winner (if still an amateur)
  7. Top 50 Official World Golf Ranking (as of Friday prior)
  8. PGA Tour life members
  9. 18 sponsors exemptions– 2 from Web.com Tour finals, 8 members not otherwise exempt, and 8 unrestricted
  10. Up to two foreign players designated by the commissioner
  11. Top 70 from prior year's FedEx Cup points list
  12. Members in top 125 non-member category whose prior year non-WGC points equal or exceed the 70th position on the prior year FedEx Cup points list
  13. Top 70 from current year's FedEx Cup points list (as of Friday prior)
  14. PGA Section (North Florida) champion/player of the year
  15. Remaining positions filled from current year's FedEx Cup points list

Arnold Palmer had a lifetime invitation.

Course layout

Hole123456789Out101112131415161718InTotal
Yards4612314345903905551994604803,8004004385743702154675112214583,6547,454
Par434545344364454345343672

Source:[7]

Winners

YearPlayerCountryScoreTo parMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-upWinner's
share ($)
Purse ($)
Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard
2020Tyrrell Hatton England284−41 stroke Marc Leishman1,674,0009,300,000
2019Francesco Molinari Italy276−122 strokes Matthew Fitzpatrick1,638,0009,100,000
2018Rory McIlroy Northern Ireland270−183 strokes Bryson DeChambeau1,602,0008,900,000
2017Marc Leishman Australia277−111 stroke Charley Hoffman
Kevin Kisner
1,566,0008,700,000
2016Jason Day Australia271−171 stroke Kevin Chappell1,134,0006,300,000
2015Matt Every (2) United States269−191 stroke Henrik Stenson1,134,0006,300,000
2014Matt Every United States275−131 stroke Keegan Bradley1,116,0006,200,000
2013Tiger Woods (8) United States275−132 strokes Justin Rose1,116,0006,200,000
2012Tiger Woods (7) United States275−135 strokes Graeme McDowell1,080,0006,000,000
2011Martin Laird Scotland280−81 stroke Steve Marino1,080,0006,000,000
2010Ernie Els (2) South Africa277−112 strokes Edoardo Molinari
Kevin Na
1,080,0006,000,000
2009Tiger Woods (6) United States275−51 stroke Sean O'Hair1,080,0006,000,000
2008Tiger Woods (5) United States270−101 stroke Bart Bryant1,044,0005,800,000
2007Vijay Singh Fiji272−82 strokes Rocco Mediate990,0005,500,000
Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard
2006Rod Pampling Australia274−141 stroke Greg Owen990,0005,500,000
2005Kenny Perry United States276−122 strokes Graeme McDowell
Vijay Singh
900,0005,000,000
2004Chad Campbell United States270−186 strokes Stuart Appleby900,0005,000,000
Bay Hill Invitational presented by Cooper Tires
2003Tiger Woods (4) United States269−1911 strokes Stewart Cink
Brad Faxon
Kenny Perry
Kirk Triplett
810,0004,500,000
2002Tiger Woods (3) United States275−134 strokes Michael Campbell720,0004,000,000
2001Tiger Woods (2) United States273−151 stroke Phil Mickelson630,0003,500,000
2000Tiger Woods United States270−184 strokes Davis Love III540,0003,000,000
1999Tim Herron United States274−14Playoff Tom Lehman450,0002,500,000
Bay Hill Invitational presented by Office Depot
1998Ernie Els South Africa274−144 strokes Bob Estes
Jeff Maggert
360,0002,000,000
1997Phil Mickelson United States272−163 strokes Stuart Appleby270,0001,500,000
1996Paul Goydos United States275−131 stroke Jeff Maggert216,0001,200,000
Nestle Invitational
1995Loren Roberts (2) United States272−162 strokes Brad Faxon216,0001,200,000
1994Loren Roberts United States275−131 stroke Nick Price
Vijay Singh
Fuzzy Zoeller
216,0001,200,000
1993Ben Crenshaw United States280−82 strokes Davis Love III
Rocco Mediate
Vijay Singh
180,0001,000,000
1992Fred Couples United States269−199 strokes Gene Sauers180,0001,000,000
1991Andrew Magee United States 203*−132 strokes Tom Sieckmann180,0001,000,000
1990Robert Gamez United States274−141 stroke Greg Norman162,000900,000
1989Tom Kite (2) United States278−6Playoff Davis Love III144,000800,000
Hertz Bay Hill Classic
1988Paul Azinger United States271−135 strokes Tom Kite135,000750,000
1987Payne Stewart United States264−203 strokes David Frost108,000600,000
1986Dan Forsman United States 202*−111 stroke Raymond Floyd
Mike Hulbert
90,000500,000
1985Fuzzy Zoeller United States275−92 strokes Tom Watson90,000500,000
Bay Hill Classic
1984Gary Koch (2) United States272−12Playoff George Burns72,000400,000
1983Mike Nicolette United States283−1Playoff Greg Norman63,000350,000
1982Tom Kite United States278−6Playoff Jack Nicklaus
Denis Watson
54,000300,000
1981Andy Bean United States266−187 strokes Tom Watson54,000300,000
1980Dave Eichelberger United States279−53 strokes Leonard Thompson54,000300,000
Bay Hill Citrus Classic
1979Bob Byman United States278−6Playoff John Schroeder45,000250,000
Florida Citrus Open
1978Mac McLendon United States271−172 strokes David Graham40,000200,000
1977Gary Koch United States274−142 strokes Dale Hayes
Joe Inman
40,000200,000
1976Hale Irwin United States270−18Playoff Kermit Zarley40,000200,000
1975Lee Trevino United States276−121 stroke Hale Irwin40,000200,000
1974Jerry Heard (2) United States273−153 strokes Homero Blancas
Jim Jamieson
30,000150,000
1973Buddy Allin United States265−238 strokes Charles Coody30,000150,000
1972Jerry Heard United States276−122 strokes Bobby Mitchell30,000150,000
Florida Citrus Invitational
1971Arnold Palmer United States270−181 stroke Julius Boros30,000150,000
1970Bob Lunn United States271−171 stroke Arnold Palmer
Bob Stanton
30,000150,000
Florida Citrus Open Invitational
1969Ken Still United States278−101 stroke Miller Barber23,000115,000
1968Dan Sikes United States274−141 stroke Tom Weiskopf23,000115,000
1967Julius Boros United States274−101 stroke George Knudson
Arnold Palmer
23,000115,000
1966Lionel Hebert United States279−52 strokes Charles Coody
Dick Lytle
Jack Nicklaus
21,000110,000

* rain-shortened to 54 holes
Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.
Sources[8][9]

Multiple winners

Seven men have won this tournament more than once through 2019.

Tournament highlights

  • 1966: Lionel Hebert wins the inaugural version of the tournament. He wins by two shots over Jack Nicklaus, Charles Coody, and Dick Lytle.[10]
  • 1968: Dan Sikes breaks out of a 5-way logjam to win by one shot over Tom Weiskopf. At the end of 54 holes, Sikes had been tied for the lead with Jack Nicklaus, Bruce Devlin, Miller Barber, and Bob Charles. Officials said this was the first time there had ever been a five-way tie for the lead after 54 holes at a PGA event.[11]
  • 1971: Arnold Palmer wins the event eight years before he becomes its host. He beats Julius Boros by one shot.[12]
  • 1973: Vietnam War veteran Buddy Allin shoots a tournament record 23 under par to breeze to an eight shot victory over Charles Coody.[13]
  • 1974: Jerry Heard becomes the tournament's first two-time winner. He beats Homero Blancas and Jim Jamieson by two shots.[14]
  • 1976: Early on a Monday morning, Hale Irwin defeats Kermit Zarley on the sixth hole of a sudden death playoff after play was suspended due to darkness on Sunday.[15] While speaking to the press on Sunday evening, Irwin blamed NBC Sports for there not being enough time to finish the playoff.[16]
  • 1979: Bob Byman wins the first edition of the tournament to be played at Bay Hill. He defeats John Schroeder on the second hole of a sudden death playoff.[17]
  • 1980: Dave Eichelberger wins by three shots over Leonard Thompson.[18] The temperatures were so cold that Eichelberger wore panty hose during the final round.[19]
  • 1982: Tom Kite chips in for birdie on the first hole of a sudden death playoff to defeat Jack Nicklaus and Denis Watson.[20]
  • 1984: Gary Koch shoots a final round 63 before defeating George Burns on the second hole of a sudden death playoff. Koch is the only champion in the tournament's history to win both at Rio Pinar and Bay Hill.[21]
  • 1985: Coming off back surgery less than six months previously, Fuzzy Zoeller wins at Bay Hill. He finishes two shots ahead of Tom Watson.[22]
  • 1987: Payne Stewart, who owned a home just off Bay Hill's 12th tee, notches his third career PGA Tour title. He beats David Frost by three shots.[23]
  • 1989: Tom Kite wins for a second time at Bay Hill by defeating Davis Love III on the second hole of a sudden death playoff. Before the playoff took place, both Kite and Love made double bogey on the tournament's 72nd hole.[24]
  • 1990: Robert Gamez holes a 7-iron on the 72nd hole for an eagle two allowing him to win by one shot over Greg Norman.[25]
  • 1992: Fred Couples wins by nine shots over Gene Sauers. With his win, Couples becomes the #1 ranked player in the world.[26]
  • 1995: Loren Roberts becomes the first returning champion to successfully defend his title. He beats Brad Faxon by two shots.[27]
  • 1996: Paul Goydos wins for the first time on the PGA Tour. He beats Jeff Maggert by one shot and Tom Purtzer by two.[28] During the tournament's second round, Purtzer incurred a two-shot penalty by playing the wrong ball.
  • 1998: During the tournament's final round, John Daly hits six balls in the water on the sixth hole. He finishes the hole with a final score of 18.[29]
  • 2000: Tiger Woods wins at Bay Hill for the first time. He beats Davis Love III by four shots.[30]
  • 2003: Tiger Woods becomes the first golfer since Gene Sarazen at the 1930 Miami Open to win the same tournament in four consecutive years. He wins by 11 shots over Kirk Triplett, Stewart Cink, Kenny Perry, and Brad Faxon.[31]
  • 2005: Kenny Perry wins by two shots over Vijay Singh and Graeme McDowell. Perry and Singh were tied for the lead until Singh made double bogey at the 72nd hole.[32]
  • 2008: Tiger Woods sinks a 25-foot birdie putt at the 72nd hole to defeat Bart Bryant by one shot.[33] It's Woods fifth Bay Hill triumph in addition to his winning the fifth consecutive tournament he had played in.
  • 2009: Tiger Woods wins at Bay Hill for the 2nd straight year and sixth time overall. He birdies the 72nd hole to defeat Sean O'Hair by one shot.[34]
  • 2012: Tiger Woods wins the Arnold Palmer Invitational for the seventh time, ending a winless streak on the PGA Tour dating back 27 events to September 13, 2009.[35]
  • 2013: Tiger Woods wins for a record-tying eighth time at the Arnold Palmer Invitational while holing three eagles during the week, the first time a player has accomplished the feat since 2001; he ascends to the number 1 ranking for the first time since October 2010.[36]
  • 2014: With world number one Woods out of the tournament, the focus was on world number two Adam Scott. Scott led the first three rounds, but struggled in the fourth round, finishing third behind Keegan Bradley and first-time PGA Tour winner Matt Every.
  • 2015: Matt Every holed an 18-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to beat Henrik Stenson by one shot and become the third golfer to defend his title at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. In the third round, Daniel Berger recorded a double eagle at the par-5 6th hole, the first since the tournament moved to Bay Hill in 1979. Zach Johnson repeated the feat in the final round on the par-5 16th.[37][38]

References

  1. "MasterCard Extends Presenting Sponsorship of Arnold Palmer Invitational". MasterCard.com (Press release). March 21, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  2. "MasterCard Extends Sponsorship". ArnoldPalmerInvitational.com. March 21, 2012. Archived from the original on April 7, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  3. "Boost to Arnie and Jack tourneys". ESPN. Associated Press. June 3, 2014.
  4. Auclair, T.J. "Red cardigan sweater for Arnold Palmer Invitational winner revealed". PGA of America. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  5. "The Open Qualifying Series for 2019 launches with four new events". theopen.com. Archived from the original on January 22, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  6. "2015–16 PGA Tour Player Handbook & Tournament Regulations" (PDF). October 5, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 12, 2016.
  7. "Course: Bay Hill Club". PGA Tour. 2013. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  8. Arnold Palmer Invitational - Winners - at www.pgatour.com
  9. Arnold Palmer Invitational - Winners Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine - at www.golfobserver.com
  10. Hebert Discards Remedy, Wins Florida Citrus Open
  11. Dan Sikes wins Citrus Open
  12. Palmer Cops Citrus Open
  13. Allin Citrus Champ
  14. Jerry Heard regains winning touch, takes Citrus Open on 273 total
  15. Citrus Open playoff won by Hale Irwin
  16. Irwin Raps TV For Late Start
  17. Byman steps up in Citrus
  18. Eichelberger wins chilly Bay Hill
  19. Golfers required panty hose
  20. Kite wins Bay Hill Golf in three-man playoff
  21. Gary Koch wins Bay Hill playoff
  22. Fuzzy Zoeller wins Bay Hill Classic
  23. Stewart wins Bay Hill by 3
  24. Kite catches Love and wins playoff
  25. Spectacular eagle wins for Gamez
  26. Sizzling Couples coasts by 9 shots in Nestle laugher
  27. Roberts and Bay Hill Links Seem Made for Each Other
  28. Goydos fires 67 to capture Bay Hill
  29. Six In Lake Give Daly an 18
  30. Woods Triumphs Again, Leaving Love in Awe
  31. Ailing Woods wins 4th straight Bay Hill by 11 strokes
  32. Perry Wins Bay Hill After Singh Suffers Rocky Finish
  33. Tiger birdies 18 for title
  34. Golf-Woods overhauls O'Hair for comeback win at Bay Hill
  35. Donegan, Lawrence (March 26, 2012). "Tiger Woods ends PGA Tour drought with Arnold Palmer Invitational win". The Guardian. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  36. Schmitz, Brian (March 26, 2013). "Tiger Woods is back at No. 1 after winning Arnold Palmer Invitational". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  37. "Matt Every wins again at Bay Hill". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  38. "Daniel Berger makes 2 on par 5". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 22, 2015.

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