The 2022 Arnold Palmer Invitational will have its champion in less than a week. But before we get to know this year’s winner, let’s take a quick look at the previous winners of the tournament. Who won last year, and who has had the most wins here?
Since its inception in 1979, the Bay Hill Golf Club has been hosting the API. Gary Koch had won the title in 1984, becoming the first player to win after the Tour elevated the tournament to elite invitational status.
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Many have won the championship multiple times. However, there has been only one who dominated the event for several years. And that golfer not only dominated the API but the entire golf world in the 2000s.
Tiger Woods began his API title hunting in 2000. Since then, he has won eight API titles. In 2003, Tiger became the first and only player to win the API title for 4 consecutive years. He also became the third player ever to win the same PGA Tour event four times in a row.
Woods won his eighth API title in 2013. This win not only tied him with Sam Sneads for winning most titles at the same tournament but helped him become the World No. 1 after 2010.
Who won last year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational?
Nicknamed the Mad Scientist, Bryson DeChambeau won the 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational. DeChambeau won the event by scoring an 11-under 277. The victory was twice as special to the Mad Scientist as he shot two monstrous shots that covered more than 370-yards in the event.
The English golfer Lee Westwood finished in second place, whereas the Canadian Corey Conners secured the third with a 10-under and 8-under, respectively.
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Watching Bryson defending the 2022 API would be a sight for sore eyes. However, the golfer recently announced that he wouldn’t be attending the event, citing injury concerns. The announcement came after the PGA Tour published the API field that included his name.
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In all honesty, it is no surprise that Tiger Woods holds the record of most API wins, considering he won them all in his prime years. With Bryson not playing the event to defend his title, who do you think has a chance to win the tournament this year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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