Links PGA Tour 2026 - Arnold Palmer Invitational

[Southcitygolf]

2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational - 3rd Rd - Pin Position

Video link to 2nd Rd.
https://youtu.be/vNAorAlcaMQ

[Pinseeker]

Well round 3 is in the books, but it wasn’t easy. It seemed like I was fighting every shot, every putt every pin, just wasn’t comfortable. 2 over after 9 I thought it was going to be one of those rounds where I will not get any break. A bird on 11 brought my hopes up but then on the easy par 5 12th I managed to 3 put from 20 feet out even missing a 5-footer for a bird. In the end I managed another 2 under par round birdying 3 of the last 6 holes. Love this course….

The round: https://youtu.be/VPM8RoN1lZQ?si=J9IfnotAW8jyzyNr

[Southcitygolf]

2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational - 4th Rd Pin Position

Video link to 3rd Rd.
https://youtu.be/DnTf3zZRio4

[JimEvers37]

Late to file my report, I was able to sneak on the course at sun-up and got 18 holes in while they were setting the course up, did not fare any better as I went out in 41, did manage an eagle on #16 the lone bright spot as I came in with 39 for an 80, my best score of the week!

Jim

[Pinseeker]

Tough round. Front 9 -2 Back 9 +2 Even par. The 18th was a disaster but I'll take it considering the slick greens. Love this course..... On to next week....

The round: https://youtu.be/QBFH5d_WtkQ?si=Q2bAOYznq2rJskgO

[JimEvers37]

Since I was already losing an hour of sleep, I once again snuck onto the course at Bay Hill when they were setting up the course for today's final round.

With the struggles I've had here, don't know how this is Pinseekers favorite course! I don't know if it's because I was rushing before I got caught, another 18 holes of struggle, went out in 42 and came back in 44 for a tidy 86, 12 over par finish, too many water balls and missed par putts doomed my final round. Onto Ponte Vedre, good thing I got an exemption into it as I sure haven't played my way into it!

Jim

[Southcitygolf]

2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational - 4th Rd Final

Video link to 4th round
https://youtu.be/dEfJAuWdskg

[dwg]

As a discussion point I'm not sure if the Links rendition of Bay Hill is suitable for the Mod (challenging conditions in Links 1.07), especially for the firmer and faster settings. Over the last week I played a number rounds using various settings, some greens seemed to be like glass at the faster (challenging settings) and some greens would not hold a ball despite landing quite some distance short of the putting surface.

Unfortunately there is no information on the setup of the course on the latest or previous incarnations of the course to be a guide, there are certainly texture changes but no indication of any greens being reworked since the Links 2001 version or what the green contours are based on.

While courses based on a DEM should be suitable for the challenging conditions it does not mean that they will necessarily be suitable for Firm/Fast. I would think Bermuda greens will be slower than Bent simply based on the grass characteristics.

In all of my rounds I seem to get very wet and ended up with a lot of sand in the golf shoes, club selection and swing length/speed (RTS) was a challenge.

[Southcitygolf]

Final-Round Notes – Sunday, March 8, 2026

[Southcitygolf]

As a discussion point I'm not sure if the Links rendition of Bay Hill is suitable for the Mod (challenging conditions in Links 1.07), especially for the firmer and faster settings. Over the last week I played a number rounds using various settings, some greens seemed to be like glass at the faster (challenging settings) and some greens would not hold a ball despite landing quite some distance short of the putting surface.

Unfortunately there is no information on the setup of the course on the latest or previous incarnations of the course to be a guide, there are certainly texture changes but no indication of any greens being reworked since the Links 2001 version or what the green contours are based on.

While courses based on a DEM should be suitable for the challenging conditions it does not mean that they will necessarily be suitable for Firm/Fast. I would think Bermuda greens will be slower than Bent simply based on the grass characteristics.

In all of my rounds I seem to get very wet and ended up with a lot of sand in the golf shoes, club selection and swing length/speed (RTS) was a challenge.