Arnold Palmer Invitational field breakdown: Star-studded line-up set for Bay Hill

It’s time to witness the action-packed third Signature Event of the 2026 PGA Tour season, the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The star-studded field is set to compete at the iconic Bay Hill Club & Lodge.

Among the biggest names in the field is World No. 1 and two-time champion Scottie Scheffler. He will be aiming for a third title at Bay Hill. If he achieves that feat, he will become only the second player to win the coveted tournament more than twice. Legendary Tiger Woods holds the record, having won the title eight times here.

Star-studded field set for Bay Hill at the Arnold Palmer Invitational

Scottie Scheffler has already registered a win this season, although his overall form has raised some concerns.

He previously triumphed at Bay Hill in 2022 and 2024 and has often described it as one of his favourite courses.The field will also feature former champion Rory McIlroy, who claimed the title in 2018.As a Signature Event, the Arnold Palmer Invitational boasts a stacked field of top-ranked players who qualify automatically through world rankings, FedEx Cup standings, or past tournament victories.

All about the Bay Hill course

Bay Hill is a par-72 layout measuring 7,381 yards and is regarded as one of the toughest courses on the PGA Tour.

The course demands accuracy off the tee, with thick, punishing rough and lightning-fast greens that pose a significant challenge for golfers.

All about Arnold Palmer Invitational

Russell Henley is the defending champion, having won the title in 2025.Previous winners include:2015 – Matt Every2016 – Jason Day2017 – Marc Leishman2018 – Rory McIlroy2019 – Francesco Molinari2020 – Tyrrell Hatton2021 – Bryson DeChambeau2022 – Scottie Scheffler2023 – Kurt Kitayama2024 – Scottie SchefflerPrize MoneyThe total prize purse is $20 million, with the winner earning $4 million along with 700 FedEx Cup points.How to watchThursday, March 5 – Sky Sports Golf, 4pmFriday, March 6 – Sky Sports Golf, 4pmSaturday, March 7 – Sky Sports Golf, 3pmSunday, March 8 – Sky Sports Golf, 2:30pmPlayers to watchScottie Scheffler will be eyeing his third title at Bay Hill. If he succeeds, he will become only the second golfer to win the tournament at least three times.Rory McIlroy, given his current form, heads into the tournament as one of the favourites.Here is a look at the complete 72-player field for the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational:Young, CameronVegas, JhonattanThorbjornsen, MichaelThomas, JustinTheegala, SahithTaylor, NickStraka, SeppStevens, SamSpieth, JordanSpaun, J.J.Smotherman, AustinScott, AdamScheffler, ScottieSchauffele, XanderRose, JustinRodgers, PatrickPutnam, AndrewPotgieter, AldrichPoston, J.T.Pendrith, TaylorNovak, AndrewNoren, AlexMorikawa, CollinMoore, TaylorMitchell, KeithMcNealy, MaverickMcIlroy, RoryMcCarty, MattMcCarthy, DennyMatsuyama, HidekiMacIntyre, RobertLowry, ShaneLee, Min WooKnapp, JakeKitayama, KurtKirk, ChrisKim, Si WooKim, MichaelIm, SungjaeHovland, ViktorHorschel, BillyHøjgaard, NicolaiHoge, TomHisatsune, RyoHenley, RussellHarman, BrianHall, HarryGriffin, BenGreyserman, MaxGotterup, ChrisGlover, LucasGerard, RyanFox, RyanFowler, RickieFleetwood, TommyFitzpatrick, MattEnglish, HarrisEchavarria, NicoDay, JasonDahmen, JoelCoody, PiercesonConners, CoreyCauley, BudCantlay, PatrickCampbell, BrianBurns, SamBridgeman, JacobBradley, KeeganBhatia, AkshayBerger, DanielBennett, DanielÅberg, LudvigAlternatesLi, HaotongFinau, TonyCastillo, RickyRoy, KevinHøjgaard, RasmusJaeger, StephanDou, ZechengSmith, JordanYellamaraju, SudarshanKim, S.H.Homa, MaxClark, WyndhamBauchou, ZachEwart, A.J.McGreevy, MaxAlso read: Justin Thomas set to return at Arnold Palmer Invitational after surgery: “Not expecting anything great”