Golf

  1. Home
  2. Sports
  3. Golf

PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational

By Brent Kelley, About.com

PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational

The Arnold Palmer Invitational is hosted by Mr. Palmer, who also owns the Bay Hill Club & Lodge where the tournament is played.

Photo courtesy of the World Golf Hall of Fame; used with permission
About the PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational:
The full name of the tournament is Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, a name the tournament assumed beginning in 2007. For a dozen or so years prior to that, it was known as the Bay Hill Invitational after its host course, which Palmer owns. Palmer has long been the host of this tournament.

2008 Tournament
Tiger Woods won this event for the fifth time by sinking a 25-foot birdie putt on the final hole. Woods posted rounds of 70-68-66-66 for a 10-under 270 total, one stroke better than runner-up Bart Bryant.

2007 Recap
Vijay Singh shot a final-round 67, one of just four subpar rounds on the day, for a come-from-behind 2-shot victory. Singh finished at 8-under 272 to top runnerup Rocco Mediate.

Official Web site
PGA Tour tournament site

PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational Records:
PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational Golf Courses:
The Arnold Palmer Invitational has been played at Bay Hill Club & Lodge golf course every year since the tournament's inception in 1966. The club is in Orlando, Fla.
PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational Trivia and Notes:
  • The tournament was renamed the Arnold Palmer Invitational beginning with its 2007 playing. Palmer is only the second golfer to have a PGA Tour event named for him; Byron Nelson was the first.
  • Arnold Palmer began visiting the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in 1965, and it became his winter home. In 1976, Palmer purchased the club.
  • Palmer was 41 years old when he won this tournament in 1971. It was among his last half-dozen or so wins on the PGA Tour.
  • The tournament was first played in 1966, and Lionel Hebert was the winner. Jack Nicklaus finished second that year. Nicklaus was also runnerup in 1982, when he lost a playoff to Tom Kite. Nicklaus never won this tournament.
  • Tiger Woods won the Arnold Palmer Invitational four straight years, 2000-03. Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen are the only other golfers to win a PGA Tour event four straight years.
  • Aside from Woods, the only other golfer to win this tournament back-to-back is Loren Roberts (1994-95).
  • The only other two-time winners of the tournament are Jerry Heard (1972, 1974) and Gary Koch (1977, 1984).
    • PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational - Past Winners:
    p-playoff; w-weather shortened

    Arnold Palmer Invitational
    2008 - Tiger Woods, 270
    2007 - Vijay Singh, 272

    Bay Hill Invitational
    2006 - Rod Pampling, 274
    2005 - Kenny Perry, 276
    2004 - Chad Campbell, 270
    2003 - Tiger Woods, 269
    2002 - Tiger Woods, 275
    2001 - Tiger Woods, 273
    2000 - Tiger Woods, 270
    1999 - Tim Herron-p, 274
    1998 - Ernie Els, 274
    1997 - Phil Mickelson, 272
    1996 - Paul Goydos, 275

    The Nestle Invitational
    1995 - Loren Roberts, 272
    1994 - Loren Roberts, 275
    1993 - Ben Crenshaw, 280
    1992 - Fred Couples, 269
    1991 - Andrew Magee-w, 203
    1990 - Robert Gamez, 274
    1989 - Tom Kite-p, 278

    Hertz Bay Hill Classic
    1988 - Paul Azinger, 271
    1987 - Payne Stewart, 264
    1986 - Dan Forsman-w, 202
    1985 - Fuzzy Zoeller, 275

    Bay Hill Classic
    1984 - Gary Koch-p, 272
    1983 - Mike Nicolette-p, 283
    1982 - Tom Kite-p, 278
    1981 - Andy Bean, 266
    1980 - Dave Eichelberger, 279

    Bay Hill Citrus Classic
    1979 - Bob Byman-p, 278

    Florida Citrus Open Invitational
    1978 - Mac McLendon, 271
    1977 - Gary Koch, 274
    1976 - Hale Irwin-p, 270
    1975 - Lee Trevino, 276
    1974 - Jerry Heard, 273
    1973 - Bud Allin, 265
    1972 - Jerry Heard, 276
    1971 - Arnold Palmer, 270
    1970 - Bob Lunn, 271
    1969 - Ken Still, 278
    1968 - Dan Sikes, 274
    1967 - Julius Boros, 274
    1966 - Lionel Hebert, 279

    Explore Golf

    More from About.com

    Browse All About.com

    Golf

    1. Home
    2. Sports
    3. Golf
    4. Tours / Events
    5. Pro Golf Tours
    6. Tour Schedules
    7. 2007 PGA Tour Schedule
    8. PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational - Profile of Arnold Palmer Invitational Golf Tournament

    ©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

    All rights reserved.