ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN Sports) – Fifteen of the top thirty golfers in the world, including five of the top ten, are practicing at Bay Hill Club and Lodge to compete in this weekend’s Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament. Unfortunately, reigning champion, Bryson DeChambeau, has pulled out, as he continues to rehab from a hip and hand injury. He hopes to be able to compete next week in The Players Championship at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Among the names of those scheduled to compete are the current number one ranked Jon Rahm, making his first appearance at Bay Hill. Number five ranked Rory McIlroy won the API in 2018, and current number ten, Hideki Matsuyama, is the reigning Masters Champion. Number four, Viktor Hovland, and number six, Scottie Scheffler, will also compete, along with Floridian and Gator alum, Billy Horschel, who is currently ranked number twenty-two in the world.
Joie Chitwood, III is the Vice President of Corporate Development for the Arnold Palmer Group and Tournament Director for the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He told us today, “I’m already hearing from some of the tour players about the practice rounds, and they’ve commented the rough is a little high, so the way to come at it is to hit it down the middle of the fairway. But really, I think our fans are going to be so excited to see such great talent out on the golf course, and who knows who’ll win, but I can tell you this, if you made the field, you have a shot.”
To watch this morning’s press conference with Joie Chitwood, visit https://fb.watch/bu6elVUb88/. For FNN’s exclusive interview with Mr. Chitwood, visit https://fb.watch/bu6jldo9Ub/. Be sure to like our page for future updates.
Stay tuned to Florida National News for coverage of the tournament which runs through Sunday.