Memories of the 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Won by Francesco Molinari!

Francesco Molinari won the prestigious Arnold Palmer Invitational, which dates back to the 1966 Florida Citrus Open, coming from way behind shooting an 8-undr Sunday 64! Teeing off at 12:05 pm with Billy Horschel, a full hour and 40 minutes before the 1:45 final pairing of Matthew Fitzpatrick and Rory McIlroy. Fitzpatrick, yet to win in 45 PGA TOUR events, had a one stroke lead over Rory McIlroy after Round 3. McIlroy who shot a sizzling 66 on Saturday looked destined to repeat as the API Champion. In 2018 he shot a Sunday 64 to win at Bay Hill for the first time and received the red cardigan sweater given in memory of Arnold Palmer. Palmer, who passed on September 25, 2016 at the age of 87. This was the third tournament without the physical presence of Mr. Palmer. Marc Leishman won the red cardigan sweater in 2017. Jason Day, the 2016 Champion, was the last to win with Arnold there to congratulate him. Of course, Tiger Woods owned Bay Hill, winning the API eight times in fourteen years (200-2013). The last two back-to-back in 2012 and 2013. Tiger was injured (neck strain) and did not play in the 2019 API. A Tribute to Arnold Palmer, Forever The King! (1929-2016) Mr. Palmer, It was an Honor to Meet You! Molinari, Italy’s best all-time golfer, fully came out on the world golf stage in 2018. After winning for the sixth time on the European Tour (2018 BMW PGA Championship) and the first time on the PGA TOUR (2018 Quicken Loans National); he won his first major at the 2018 Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Links. The he wrapped up his breakout season by winning 5 out of 5 points for Europe as they won the 2018 Ryder Cup on the Albatros Course of Le Golf National just outside of Paris, France. Molinari made a 44-foot bomb on the 18^th hole, longer yet similar to Rory’s dramatic putt to win by 3 strokes in 2018 and Tiger Woods historic putts made there, to post 12-under and eventually win by 2 strokes over Fitzpatrick (Sunday 71, sole 2^nd) and 4 strokes over McIlroy (Sunday 72, T6). Molinari became the first to win by making a pin-in putt on 72^nd hole! Congratulations Francesco Molinari, 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational Champion! The Arnold Palmer Invitational is one of only five tournaments given "invitational" status by the PGA Tour, and consequently it has a reduced field of only 120 players (as opposed to most full-field open tournaments with a field of 156 players). The other four tournaments with invitational status are the Genesis Open, RBC Heritage, the Fort Worth Invitational, and the Memorial Tournament. Invitational tournaments have smaller fields (between 120 and 132 players), and have more freedom than full-field open tournaments in determining which players are eligible to participate in their event, as invitational tournaments are not required to fill their fields using the PGA Tour Priority Ranking System. Furthermore, unlike full-field open tournaments, invitational tournaments do not offer open qualifying (aka Monday qualifying). Frosty My Love, Gone All Too Soon… Been a few years since I have been at Bay Hill, first time since the King & Frosty have passed. Mr. Palmer would be pleased as this tournament continues to grow amidst just the right Arnie's Army spirit permeating this special place. Golf course is in great shape. Good to make a few new friends and run into a handful of old friends including the beautiful Katherine Deen Way in the umbrella dress! Will be a great finish! Go Rory!   (Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 30 Pics, Saturday 3/9/19)