Featured Groups: Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard

A year ago Rory McIlroy produced a Sunday blitz at Bay Hill that would have made Arnold Palmer proud.

The Northern Irishman birdied eight of his last 13 holes, five of the last six, to shoot an awe-inspiring 64.

“I wish he would have been at the top of the hill to shake my hand when I came off the 18th green there,” McIlroy said at the time.

“But hopefully, he’s proud of me, with the way I played that back nine. I tried to be as aggressive as I could and tried to take on shots when I needed to, just like he would have.”

Palmer’s amazing legacy continues to be honored at the 41st playing of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard at Bay Hill Club & Lodge again this season.

Who will be the man awarded the famous red cardigan this time around?

RELATED: Tee times for Rounds 1 and 2

McIlroy will play with another recent champion at Bay Hill – Australian Marc Leishman – and Masters champion Patrick Reed over the opening two rounds as one of the Featured Groups.

In a week when the PGA TOUR announced the Rookie of the Year award will now carry Palmer’s name, it is worth noting Leishman has won both Palmer’s award and event.

In fact there are 11 former Rookies of the Year scheduled to compete in the 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational field: Daniel Berger (2015), Keegan Bradley (2011), Ernie Els (1994), Rickie Fowler (2010), Robert Gamez (1990), Chesson Hadley (2014), Charles Howell III (2001), Leishman (2009), Vijay Singh (1993), Brandt Snedeker (2007) and Aaron Wise (2018).

Tiger Woods (1996) withdrew on Monday with a neck strain. Woods is an eight-time winner of the event (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013).

Els (1998 and 2010), Gamez (1990) and Singh (2007) – like Leishman – have also won the Arnold Palmer Invitational during their respective careers.

Below are the Featured Groups with more big stars including Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka, not to mention another nod to the rookie stars on TOUR.

HOW TO FOLLOW (ALL TIMES ET)

TELEVISION: Thursday-Friday, 2-6 p.m. (Golf Channel). Saturday, 12:30-2:30 p.m. (GC), 2:30-6 p.m. (NBC). Sunday, 12:30-2:30 p.m. (GC), 2:30-6 p.m. (NBC).

PGA TOUR LIVE: Thursday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. (Featured Groups). Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (Featured Groups), 2:30-6 p.m. (Featured Holes).

LIVE ON TWITTER: Thursday-Friday: 7:30 a.m. – approx. 8:45 a.m.; Saturday-Sunday: TBD.

RADIO: Thursday-Friday, 12-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 1-6 p.m. (PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and PGATOUR.com).

International subscribers (via GOLFTV): Thursday-Friday, 12:30 to 23:00 GMT. Saturday, 14:00 to 23:00. Sunday, 13:00 to 22:00.

Here’s a look at some of the Featured Groups (current FedExCup ranking in parentheses):

FEATURED GROUPS

Brandt Snedeker (36) – Former FedExCup champion and former Rookie of the Year winner.
Justin Rose (11) – The current FedExCup champion who will look to return inside the Wyndham Rewards Top 10 this week and also reclaim top spot in the world rankings.
Henrik Stenson (223) – Just his second start of the PGA TOUR season, this former FedExCup winner was the 54-hole leader at Bay Hill last season but faded to fourth.
Round 1 tee time: 7:43 a.m. ET, No. 10
Round 2 tee time: 12:33 p.m. ET, No. 1

Rory McIlroy (15) – The defending champion comes in fresh off four straight top-5 finishes on TOUR.
Patrick Reed (52) – Three top-15 finishes in his last four starts on TOUR this season, including a T14 at the WGC-Mexico Championship.
Marc Leishman (7) – The 2017 champion at Bay Hill is a former Rookie of the Year and has already won once this season.
Round 1 tee time: 12:33 p.m. ET, No. 1
Round 2 tee time: 7:43 a.m. ET, No. 10

Jason Day (30) – The 2016 champion at Bay Hill is coming off two top 5s and his worst result this season in five starts is 13th.
Rickie Fowler (6) – Fresh off his runner-up finish at The Honda Classic and full of confidence after winning the Waste Management Phoenix Open last month.
Ian Poulter (48) – Three-time PGA TOUR winner with Florida ties comes in after a T3 at the World Golf Championships–Mexico Championship.
Round 1 tee time: 7:54 a.m. ET, No. 10
Round 2 tee time: 12:44 p.m. ET, No. 1

Phil Mickelson (9) – Winner at API back in 1997 and more recently at Pebble Beach last month, this Hall of Famer continues his quest for 50 career wins.
Brooks Koepka (8) – Current PGA TOUR Player of the Year looking to springboard off runner-up finish last week. Already a winner this season.
Bryson DeChambeau (12) – Four top 15s in five starts this season including a win at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.
Round 1 tee time: 12:44 a.m. ET, No. 1
Round 2 tee time: 7:54 a.m. ET, No. 10

Aaron Wise (87) – Current Rookie of the Year. Winner at AT&T Byron Nelson last season.
Cameron Champ (19) – Leading contender for Rookie of the Year this season after win at Sanderson Farms Championship.
Adam Long (24) – Another Rookie of the Year candidate after breakthrough win at the Desert Classic.
Round 1 tee time: 12:21 p.m. ET, No. 1
Round 2 tee time: 7:31 a.m. ET, No. 10