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The Arnold Palmer Invitational was founded in 1979 as
a successor to the Florida Citrus Open Invitational, which
was played at Rio Pinar Golf Club on the East side of Orlando.
It has had a number of different names since then, most of
them including "Bay Hill." The tournament will be
played for the first time under the Palmer name this year
at Bay
Hill Club & Lodge.
The former Bay Hill Invitational Presented by MasterCard
is now known as the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by
MasterCard. The name change, made by Mr. Palmer's family,
is a tribute to his dedication and contributions made to the
game of golf, the tournament and the PGA TOUR, throughout
his career.
Tiger Woods won what was then known as the Bay Hill Invitational
four years in a row from 2000 to 2003. This is one of only
four occasions that a golfer has won the same event four times
in a row on the Tour.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard
traditionally has one of the strongest fields of the year
and usually is behind only the four major championships,
the World Golf Championship events, and The Players Championship.
Last year's Bay Hill field included nine of the top 15 players
in the world and 30 of the top 50.
All four rounds of The Arnold Palmer Invitational will be
broadcast live: Thursday and Friday on The Golf Channel (times
TBA); Saturday from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday from
2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST on NBC, Channel 2 in Orlando.
Purse: $5,500,000
Winning Share: $990,000
Yards: 7,267
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Hole 1 - Par
4, 441 yards
On this tough starting hole, large bunkers right and o.b.
left await the first shot of the day. Favor the left center
of the fairway for the best angle to the green. Avoid
the greenside bunkers for an opportunity to make par. |
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Hole 2 - Par
3, 218 yards
This par 3 is traditionally one of the most difficult
on the PGA TOUR. A mid- to long iron is required to handle
a hole with a green that slopes severely from right to
left. Par here is a great score. |
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Hole 3 - Par
4, 395 yards
With water left and bunkers right, accuracy is a premium
on this dogleg left. After safely negotiating the tee
shot, you face a short to mid-iron approach to a green
that is well-protected by water and bunkers. On this hole,
remember, "a dry ball is a happy ball." |
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Hole 4 - Par
5, 558 yards
On this, the first of Bay Hill's four par 5's, avoid the
creek that meanders up the right side. Big hitters will
be enticed to go for this green in two. Check your yardages
and avoid the bunkers that squeeze both sides of the approach
to this two-tiered green.
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Hole 5 - Par
4, 384 yards
You may opt to lay up short of the fairway bunkers from
the tee on this short par 4. The longer the tee shot,
the narrower the landing area. Approach the narrow, crowned
green with caution as the greenside bunkers await errant
shots. |
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Hole 6 - Par
5, 558 yards
On this beautiful, challenging par 5, you must stay out
of the water in order to avoid a big number. Tee shots
should be aimed toward the fairway bunkers. Be cautious
with your approach as the fairway narrow in the landing
area. Many great starts have been ruined by this monster.
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Hole 7 - Par 3, 197 yards
Bay Hill's easiest par 3 offers a two-tiered green well
guarded by bunkers. Check the hole location as well
as the wind before selecting your club.
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Hole 8 - Par
4, 459 yards
This demanding hole requires a long, straight drive that
avoids trees right and a large fairway bunker left. Take
half a club more on your approach to the shallow, elevated
green. It is better to err long than short here. |
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Hole 9 - Par
4, 467 yards
In order to complete a good front nine, you have a battle
ahead. This long par 4 requires two solid shots to reach
one of the largest greens on the course. The two bunkers
fronting the green require an accuarate approach, so make
sure you tak enough club. |
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Hole 10 - Par
4, 400 yards
The back nine starts with this relatively short par 4.
Fairway bunkers pose a serious threat to an errant tee
shot. Long hitters will be tempted to carry the bunker
on the right. Take half a club more as you approach the
slightly elevated, two-tiered green. |
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Hole 11 - Par
4, 438 yards
It is critical that your tee shot finds the fairway between
the bunkers and the lake. You then face an uphill, forced
carry to the green. It is better to be long than short
here. Aiming for the center of the green is a smart play.
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Hole 12 - Par
5, 580 yards
This challenging hole is the longest of the par 5's. Tee
shots should favor the left side. Long hitters looking
to get home in two should be mindful of a slew of greenside
bunkers that are less than forgiving. A birdie is possible,
but par is a good score. |
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Hole 13 - Par
4, 364 yards
Bay Hill's shortest par 4 requires a solid tee shot to
the center of the fairway. A small pond protects a rather
undulating green. Two good shots will be rewarded, but
an errant approach shot could be disastrous. |
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Hole 14 - Par
3, 206 yards
This straightforward par 3 has a very undulating green,
one of the most difficult on the course. If you avoid
the four bunkers, you will have a good opportunity for
a par. Check the wind and the yardage, then take enough
club to reach the slightly elevated green. |
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Hole 15 - Par
4, 425 yards
On this difficult par 4, your tee shot will determine
your fate. You must avoid the bunkers and magnolias to
find the narrow landing area. Play your approach to the
center of the green to give you the best chance for a
good score. This green is divided into four quadrants.
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Hole 16 - Par
5, 517 yards
On this great, risk-reward par 5, favor trhe right side
of the fairway from the tee. Long hitters can get home
in two, but must avoid the water fronting the green. Miss
this green long and right, you do miss it. If you're careless,
this birdie opportunity will turn into a big number. |
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Hole 17 - Par
3, 219 yards
One of golf's most famous and difficult par 3's, this
tenacious hole requires a well-struck tee shot to a table-top
green. Correct club selection is essential, so check the
yardages to carry the bunker and hazard that front the
shallow green. That hazard also wraps around the green's
right and back sides. |
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Hole 18 - Par
4, 441 yards
Tee shots on this great finishing hole must find the fairway
to give you a chance to get home in two. From the tee,
favor the fairway's left side. Then take enough club to
carry the lake. Shots hit over or left of this green will
find a bunker or heavy grass. Take deep breath and fire
away. |
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