Arnold Restores Bay Hill As He Intended It Before He Changed It

Jeff Babineau reports on the seemingly bi-annual "philosophical change" at Bay Hill, where protecting par is out and fun is in. Maybe some of the big names who sat on the sidelines due to Bay Hill's silly rough were able to get  through to The King? Or maybe it was the awful pace of play? Either way, good to hear they are getting away from the all-risk-no-reward nonsense:

Palmer and the folks at Bay Hill have undergone a philosophical change when it comes to the tournament as well. Mainly, let the players shoot what they’re going to shoot in relation to par. In the past, the fourth and 16th holes, which play as par 5s for members, have been transformed into somewhat awkward par 4s during tournament week, making Bay Hill a par 70.

Thus, when Tiger Woods made a dramatic, curling birdie putt at 18 to capture his sixth Bay Hill title last March and shoot 275, he was listed at only 5 under.

“Our purpose has changed a little,” Palmer said. “Par 4s to par 5s, we’re going to rethink that ... with the thinking that the galleries enjoy seeing the players make birdies. We’re going to par 72 and give them an opportunity to make birdies.”

This was also encouraging:

Roughs around the greens have been cut to shorter lengths, allowing more chipping (and possibly putting) options for players, and the new greens feature not only many more possible hole locations, but many more runoff areas.