Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard
A PGA Tour invitational at Bay Hill Club and Lodge, hosted by the legacy of Arnold Palmer.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational is a professional golf tournament 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, 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 several 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. 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.
The winner receives a red cardigan sweater in memory of Arnold Palmer, a tradition that began with the 2017 tournament after Palmer's death in 2016. In 2019, the event was added to the Open Qualifying Series, giving up to three non-exempt players entry into The Open Championship.
Quick Facts
- First held
- 1966 (as the Florida Citrus Open; moved to Bay Hill in 1979; renamed Bay Hill Classic in 1980)
Lore & Background
The Arnold Palmer Invitational is one of only five tournaments given "invitational" status by the PGA Tour. Consequently, it has a reduced field of only 69 players in 2024 (as compared to most full-field open tournaments with fields of 144 or 156 players). The other four tournaments with invitational status are the Genesis Invitational, RBC Heritage, the Charles Schwab Challenge, and the Memorial Tournament. Invitational tournaments have smaller fields (between 69 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).
Reader's Guide
The field consists of 120 players invited using the following criteria: Arnold Palmer Invitational winners before 2000 and in the last five years; The Players Championship and major championship winners in the last five years; The Tour Championship, World Golf Championships, and Memorial Tournament winners in the past three years; Tournament winners in the past year; 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; Prior year U.S. Amateur winner (if still an amateur); Top 50 Official World Golf Ranking (as of Friday prior); PGA Tour life members; 18 sponsors exemptions– two from Web.com Tour finals, eight members not otherwise exempt, and eight unrestricted; Up to two foreign players designated by the commissioner; Top 70 from prior year's FedEx Cup points list; Members in the 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; Top 70 from current year's FedEx Cup points list (as of Friday prior); PGA Section (North Florida) champion/player of the year; Remaining positions filled from the current year's FedEx Cup points list; Arnold Palmer had a lifetime invitation.
Did You Know?
- The 17th hole at Bay Hill is a par-3, not a par-4.
- Tiger Woods has won the tournament eight times: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard?
This premier PGA Tour event serves as a living tribute to legendary golfer Arnold Palmer, who founded it in 1950. Originally known as the Bay Hill Classic, it now operates as a Signature Event celebrating his enduring legacy.
Where does the Arnold Palmer Invitational take place?
The tournament is hosted annually at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge located in Orlando, Florida. Players compete on these iconic fairways every year as part of the regular season schedule.
Why can't this tournament be cancelled due to rain?
Organizers face significant financial consequences if they move or cancel the event because of inclement weather. This unique rule distinguishes it from other major competitions on the tour calendar.
Who created the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard?
The legendary King of Golf, Arnold Palmer, established this competition himself in 1950. It remains a personal project dedicated to honoring his contributions to professional golf.
What is the significance of the Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour?
It stands as an official Signature Event that honors one of the sport's most influential figures. Beyond being a competition, it functions as a celebration of Palmer’s life and impact on the game.
More in Tournaments & Majors
Elsewhere in PGA Tour
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced