The 2008 Arnold Palmer Invitational

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

	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.
	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.
	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."
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.