Bay Hill Course Preview: 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational

Bay Hill measures 7,466 yards as a par-72 layout, designed by Dick Wilson in 1961. "Since 2016, Bay Hill has required more approach shots from 200+ yards than any other course on the PGA Tour."

The course features nasty overseeded rye rough and firm, fast Bermuda greens. Last year's field scoring average was 72.43 -- over par despite elite competition.

Winners demonstrate excellence in ball-striking, particularly SG: Approach and SG: Around-the-Green. "SG: Short Game and SG: Approach actually show the biggest jump in correlation with SG: Total at Bay Hill compared to a typical Tour stop."

The last nine champions ranked between 1st and 14th in SG: Tee-to-Green, with eight finishing top-10 in Greens in Regulation.

• No. 6 (Par 5, 555 yards): Horseshoe dogleg with water in play
• No. 11 (Par 4, ~440 yards): Deceptively difficult with no bailout
• No. 16 (Par 5, 511 yards): Birdie opportunity for the field
• No. 17 (Par 3): Hardest par-3 on course
• No. 18 (Par 4, 458 yards): "The most difficult finishing hole on the PGA Tour"

Tier 1: Scottie Scheffler (+295), Rory McIlroy (+940), Tommy Fleetwood (+1750)

Tier 2: Collin Morikawa (+3000), Hideki Matsuyama (+2900), Matt Fitzpatrick (+2600)

Tier 3: Russell Henley (+2900), Cameron Young (+3200), Xander Schauffele (+2200)