ORLANDO, Fla. — Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth are not politicians. Until we start asking them about golf and cease with the consistent candor about global professional tours, the Austin Eckroats and Grayson Murrays are going to continue taking home the trophies on the PGA Tour.
Much like Riviera, the Bay Hill Club and Lodge will play like a major-championship test for the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Walking the practice tee, I feel an extreme sense of urgency amongst the elite competitors. With a field of 69 players going for $20 million in prize money, almost all of the PGA Tour’s best are in attendance for a signature event at one of the Tour's most familiar venues.
Comprised of the Champion (front nine) and Challenger (back nine), Dick Wilson (1961) and Mr. Palmer (2009) designed a layout that is a mirror image of entertainment. Take a look at the Google Maps overhead and scorecard at the same time. Hole No. 3 is a dogleg left around water, followed by a straight uphill par-5 and then a short positional par-4. Now take a look at Nos. 11, 12, and 13. They are the exact same design. This happens multiple times all over the course.
