Bay Hill was one of Tiger Woods’ favourite venues on the PGA Tour. The 15-time major winner has won eight times at Arnold Palmer’s course.
Most recently, Woods won the 2013 Arnold Palmer Invitational, where he edged out Justin Thomas by two shots. Now, of course, Tiger’s glory days at Bay Hill feel a distant memory.
Multiple injury issues and personal problems have stunted the American’s career since 2010, and it remains to be seen whether he will take the course any time soon.
Woods was scheduled to play the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines before withdrawing after the sad passing of his mother, Kutilda.
Next week’s Players Championship feels unlikely. Therefore, The Masters at Augusta National could be the first time Woods takes to the course in 2025.
What happened to Tiger Woods before the 2015 Arnold Palmer Invitational
2015 was a bad year for Tiger. The 15-time major winner played 11 events and finished in the top ten once.
What’s more, Woods withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Nine years ago, ‘The King’ detailed a phone call he’d shared with Woods before the tournament.
“What I had to say was very little. Tiger did most of the talking. I can tell you there’s nothing confidential about it,” Palmer said.
“First of all, he said, ‘Arnold, I can’t think of anything I’d rather be than be there to play’. And then he explained that he didn’t feel his game was ready. He really wanted to work on it and get it ready to play, and I don’t blame him. I think If I had been in his position, I would’ve said somewhat similar things.
“He simply said that he couldn’t present himself ready to play, and he isn’t. I told him how much we’d miss him and how sorry we were that he wasn’t coming. Because his record on this golf course is the best record in any single situation such as his. I appreciated the fact that he called, and he was very apologetic for not being here.”
Matt Every won the 2015 event at Arnie’s track, finishing one shot clear of Swede Henrik Stenson.
Tiger Woods’ record at Bay Hill
Woods’ first victory at Bay Hill came in 2000. That year, Tiger won nine events, including the US Open at Pebble Beach, the Open Championship and the PGA Championship.
At the 2000 Bay Hill Invitational, Woods won by four shots. 12 months later, one of Woods and Phil Mickelson’s great battles took place. Woods finished 15 under, one shot clear of the legendary lefty.
Better was yet to come, however. Woods won a third consecutive Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2002 before landing a fourth in 2004 by a record-breaking 11 strokes.
Four years later, Woods won back-to-back in 2008 and 2009 before repeating the feat again in 2012 and 2013.
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