The Arnold Palmer Invitational will be the scene of the next act of Tiger Woods as he continues to make positive steps towards win number 80.
Woods remains on 79 tour wins following his runner-up finish to Paul Casey at the Valspar Championship – the performance that was played out to raucous fans at Innisbrook will no doubt heighten expectations at Bay Hill this week.
The venue was the scene of a Woods’ win five years ago, the eighth triumph at ‘Arnie’s Place’.
‘I’m really looking forward to next week. I hadn’t played there in a couple years because of my back, and I wanted to play there a couple years ago,’ Woods said.
‘We knew Arnold was not in very good shape. I wanted to play one last time before he moved on, and unfortunately, I just couldn’t play. So, nice to get back to Orlando. My kids were born there; I’ve had a lot of success.’
Woods’ participation adds to the already stellar field which includes tournament co-host Rickie Fowler, 2017 winner Marc Leishman, 2016 winner Jason Day, under-pressure Rory McIlroy and fit-again Hideki Matsuyama.
Arnold Palmer passed away in September 2016.
