Formerly the Bay Hill Invitational, the re-named Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard bears a special aura in professional golf. The tournament, one of the premiere-event jewels on the PGA Tour, annually attracts one of the strongest fields of the season to one of the circuit's finest courses with the entire production overseen and directed by one of the game's all-time greats - Arnold Palmer.

        It is no surprise that Arnold Palmer is honored to lend his name to an event, which breeds excellent cultural relationships across international lines along with the competition itself.  

        Since its debut at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in 1997 The Palmer Cup has rapidly developed into one of the GCAA’s premier events.  The annual Ryder Cup-style competition showcases the top eight American college golfers and their counterparts from Europe.  Through the involvement of sports marketing firm IMG and a strong contingent of committed sponsors the Palmer Cup is considered one of the most widely respected and anticipated golf events in the world.  Over the years The Palmer Cup has been blessed with the presence of future PGA stars Luke Donald, Charles Howell III, Matt Kuchar and Ryan Moore and has been played on prestigious, world-renowned courses St. Andrews (1998), Baltusrol (2001) and most recently Whistling Straits (2005).

Palmer Cup Format

Four-ball Matches

Session 1 - Wednesday A.M.
Four matches in which two players from each team compete in better-ball competition.

Singles Matches

Session 2 - Wednesday P.M.Eight matches in which one player from each team competes in match-play format.

Foursomes Matches

Session 3 - Thursday A.M.
Four matches in which two players from each team compete in alternate-shot format.

Singles Matches

Session 4 - Thursday P.M.
Eight matches in which one player from each team competes in match-play format.
Each match is worth one team point. Halved matches are worth a half-point for each team.