The Arnold Palmer Invitational is forever a special week in the annual PGA Tour schedule.

It will 10-years sadly in September when on the Sunday prior to the 2016 Ryder Cup Arnie passed away.

However, Arnie’s memory lives on and that is so noticeable each year at the Arnold Palmer Invitational here at Bay Hill.

Photographs of Arnie are everywhere about the course, there’s the stature of Arnie beside the first tee while there’s the sight of Arnie’s golf bag and umbrella each year on the right side of the practice range.

GolfByTourMiss spoke to a handful of players teeing-up this week to get their own thoughts returning each year to Arnies event.

BILLY HORSCHELL ….

Every year there is this wonderful memory to Arnie on the practice range. Image GolfByTourMiss

“It’s cool coming back here to Bay Hill every year and seeing reminders of Arnie, as he is such a legend in golf.

“He was the greatest golfer there is. When you take in who he was. What he meant to the game. Who he was and what he did on the course. He is the best of all time.

“I grew-up about 45-minutes from here and being able to have the opportunity to come play this tournament bearing his name has been so special.

“I had a chance to win here a few years ago.  It’s just special being here.  The only thing I wish.  Actually, there two things.  I hope I can win and I wish I had of won when Arnie was still alive.

“As for any special memory.  The one thing I didn’t do was bother him enough, like other guys did.  I didn’t have the chance to talk with him or take the opportunity given the multiple times I did had to talk to him but I didn’t. I felt like I didn’t want to be bothering too much but then I could not have been further from the truth, as he just loved talking with everybody.

“So, that one regret in my golfing history is not spending more time with him”.

ALEX NOREN ….

Statue of Arnie close to the first tee here at Bay Hill. Image GolfByTourMiss

“It’s just been amazing that there are these tournaments hosted by Jack and Arnold, and two of the greatest names in golf.

“Even though sadly Arnie is no longer with us, the memories of Arnie are so present here at Bay Hill and that’s so wonderful.

“Everytime in coming back here to the tournament they keep making it better in terms of remembering Arnie and that is just special”.

MIN WOO LEE ….

Yet another memory to Arnie – winner of four Augusta green jackets, two Clalet Jugs and one US Open trophy. (Image – GolfByTourMiss)

“It’s just coming back here to Arnie’s event, as I have enjoyed to do so much since my first visit in 2022.

“Arnie was a good-looking chap.  He had a lot of charisma. Of course, I didn’t grow-up watching him but watching video about how he went about the game does make you want to play a little bit like him and have a bit of that attraction he so much had, would be nice.

“Arnie’s a big part of golfing history and this event is a such a wonderful tribute to his legacy.

“It’s also a golf course that requires a lot of good golf.  So, I’m very excited to be back and play a challenging course”.

JONATHON VEGAS …..

The sight off off the 10th tee here at Bay Hill. (Image GolfByTourMiss)

“Man, there is just so much tradition returning each year here to Arnie’s tournament.

“Many of us here this week will have fond memories when Arnie was still with us but then now that he’s sadly left us, it is just so special how much his memory lives on.

“The photographs of Arnie, his name all about the course, his golf bag and umbrella on the practice range, his statue and everything he achieved in playing the game is kind on show everytime the tournament that bears his name, is what this week is about.

“I was so fortunate that I got to meet with him a few times.  It was definitely awesome.”

MATT FITZPATRICK ….

Image – GolfByTourMiss

“Arnie has a great legacy given all the different golf-related aspects he left such as the Golf Channel, this Arnold Palmer, Invitational and even an Arnold Palmer drink.

“He was not only a great golfer but a wonderful human being, so it’s always nice to be here.

“Of course, he played in a different era but Arnie has always been one of those golfers you wanted to look up to.

“He was a special man”.

Fitzpatrick was asked if the Bay Hill course has been kind to him in the year’s he has contested the event

“I’ve played well here in the past.  I finished second here in 2019.  It’s a golf course I have enjoyed playing since I was first extended an invitation as the reigning US Amateur champion to play in 2013.

“That was 12 years ago, so I’ve bascially been a pro for 12 years, so have played this tournament pretty much all those 12 years has been very special.

“I just love coming back here to Arnie’s event as it’s so special”.