Inside Track: Bay Hill

Last updated: 25th March 2010

Our man Harry Emanuel gives you the rundown on this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.

Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard

Course: Bay Hill Club and Lodge
Location: Orlando, Florida
Since: 1979
Yardage: 7,381
Par: 72
Low winning total: 264 Payne Stewart (1987)
Course Record: 62 Greg Norman (1984) Andy Bean (1981)
Field: 120
Cut: Top 70 and ties
Tee Off: Thursday 11.50 BST

Overview

In 2007 the Bay Hill Invitational was renamed the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard in honour of its long time host. It always attracts a strong field and this year is no exception with four of the top seven players in the world.

Since the tournament began in 1979 only three non-Americans have managed to win - Ernie Els of South Africa (1998), Australian Rod Pampling (2006) and Vijay Singh of Fiji (2007).

In the past 31 years only three players over the age of 40 have won the Arnold Palmer Invitational - Vijay Singh (44) in 2007, Kenny Perry (44) in 2005 and Ben Crenshaw (41) in 1993.

Last Time Out

Last year Tiger Woods returned to defend his title having played only two tournaments after missing eight months because of knee surgery.

Tiger came from five strokes off the pace on the final day to overtake Sean O'Hair and secured his sixth Arnold Palmer Invitational victory by rolling in a 15 foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole.

The only other players with multiple victories at the event are Tom Kite (1982 and 1989) and Loren Roberts (1994-95). Tiger will not play this year. He will make his first appearance of 2010 at The Masters in two weeks' time.

Course

The course features wide fairways with long Bermuda rough, seven water hazards, over 100 bunkers and large undulating greens. Last year it ranked as the fourth most difficult course on the PGA Tour and only 10 players finished under par.

Over the past 20 years Palmer has constantly tweaked and modified the golf course but this year, with the help of architects Erik Larson, Thad Layton and Brandon Johnson, he has made changes to every hole on the course.

Holes 4 and 16 have been reconverted to par fives and the course will once again play to par 72. New tees have lengthened the course by 150 yards and it now stretches to a maximum of 7,381 yards.

The fairway bunkers have been moved farther from the tee. The greenside bunkers and water hazards have been moved closer to the greens which have been flattened to create new pin positions.

Fairways

The course features multiple left and right doglegs and players are required to shape the ball both ways off the tee.

In the past accuracy was important as the three inch Bermuda rough made it very tricky to reach the green. There is less rough than previous years but with new bunkers in 270-300 yard range accurate driving is still paramount.

With water hazards in play (particularly on the 3rd, 6th, 11th and 13th) and the new fairway bunkers it is more a test of strategy than power despite the generous width of the fairways.

Greens

In the past the large undulating Bermuda greens left players with some very long and treacherous putts and good lag putters often fared well. This year the greens have been flattened out in many places to create new hole locations and the slopes are not as drastic.

The greens have been moved closer to the danger, be it water or sand, which places a greater emphasis on precise iron play. Run off areas have also been created to catch errant approach shots and the players' scrambling skills will face a stern test.

The greens have been re-grassed with Emerald Dwarf Bermuda and are set to run at 11 on the stimpmeter.

They said

"You can be a little more decisive about your lines off the tee. There's nothing really hidden now. Even so, you'll find that Bay Hill has a lot of teeth." - Justin Rose

"It's not necessarily harder, but it's more intimidating. The greens are better and the bunkers are in better position - more in play than before. If you hit the ball well, you can score, if you hit it badly, it can hurt you." - Sam Saunders

"We've literally done something to every hole. It'll be new to most all [the players]." - Arnold Palmer

Horses for Courses

In the absence of six time winner Tiger Woods and the recent withdrawal of Vijay Singh who had made 17 consecutive cuts with three runner up finishes and a victory there is no one with standout form at Bay Hill.

There are eight former winners taking part this week - Andrew Magee, Tim Herron, Paul Goydos, Kenny Perry, Robert Gamez, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson and Rod Pampling.

Key Holes

The finishing stretch had become one of the most exciting on Tour and this year it could even more so with the 16th returned to a risk/reward 511 yard par 5. A good drive leaves a demanding second shot over water and anything is possible from eagle to double bogey.

The 219 yard 17th requires a long iron to a narrow green surrounded by bunkers and par is a good score.

The 18th has been extended to 451 yards. An accurate drive leaves a tricky approach shot to the large kidney shaped green which is fronted by rocks and water.

Weather

A sunny and warm start to the tournament is expected before a cold front moves in on Friday bringing wet and breezy conditions. Dry and warm weather will light winds are forecast for the weekend.

Conclusion

Bay Hill is one of the toughest stops on Tour and the changes to the course will continue to test all aspects of the players' games.

With more hazards in play (both water and sand) and two more par fives it should provide for an entertaining weekend and some interesting turnarounds on the scoreboard.