PGA Tour stars seek returns to winner's circle at Arnold Palmer Invitational

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler’s putter has betrayed him repeatedly, including during his effort to repeat at the Phoenix Open. The 2022 API winner ranks 144th on Tour in strokes gained putting, but has a knack for contending at Bay Hill.

Ditto world No. 2 Rory McIlroy, who won in 2018 and has finished outside the top-15 just once in nine starts. With consecutive top-10s, including a runner-up finish in 2022, Viktor Hovland seeks his first top-10 in his fourth start of 2024.

“It’s been a little bit frustrating so far this year,” he said.

But a star-studded leaderboard Sunday would be no surprise. In fact, it’s was PGA Tour’s goal for limited-field signature events like the API.

A field of just 69 players, down from 120, will compete for $20 million, including $4 million to the winner. A cut will be set at the low 50 and ties, or anyone within 10 shots of the lead.

Vastly reduced fields playing for huge purses is not popular with the Tour’s rank and file but a pushback to the threat of LIV Golf, where Hatton and 2021 API winner Bryson DeChambeau reside.

Among the concerns with signature events was a lack of access. Yet this week 17 players who did not tee it up in the Genesis, the most recent signature event, will be in the API field.

If the 2024 trend holds, one of them might become the next surprise winner.

“It was definitely the idea to try to get the best possible field in all these events,” said Cantlay, a member of the Tour’s Policy Board. “Part of that is getting some of the guys that have played well this year. If you play well enough, there’s no barrier to get in.

“It’s been good.”