DEFENDING CHAMPION: Italian Francesco Molinari defeated England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick by two shot here last year, reaching 12-under-par, 276.

COURSE: The course at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Central Florida was originally designed by Dick Wilson and opened in 1961. Arnold Palmer bought the club in 1975 – and it has welcomed the PGA Tour since 1979. Palmer completed an extensive redesign of the course in 2009. It will play to 6,816 metres (par-72) this week.

PRIZEMONEY: US$9,300,000.

PLAYERS TO WATCH …

Englishman Tommy Fleetwood came painfully close to claiming The Honda Classic at PGA National last week. The five-time European Tour winner, who held the 54-hole lead, trailed by one shot at the final hole, before rinsing his approach into the par-5 18th. Fleetwood, 29, will be eager to redeem himself and collect his first PGA Tour title. He was T3 here last year and has never missed the cut.

RIGHT: Francesco Molinari won his third PGA Tour title at Bay Hill last year. PHOTO: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images.

South Korean Sungjae Im broke into the winner’s circle at PGA National last week to record what many believe will be the first of many titles. Last season’s Rookie of the Year is now ranked 25th in the Official World Golf Rankings and will be looking to keep his run of good form going at what will be his eighth event of the calendar year. Im shared third place here last year with Rafa Cabrera-Bello and Fleetwood.

72-HOLE RECORD: Payne Stewart shot 20-under-par 264 in 1987 when he defeated South African David Frost by three shots.

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Marc Leishman (2017), Jason Day (2016) and Rod Pampling (2006).

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Jason Day, Matt Jones, Marc Leishman and Adam Scott.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 6am – 10am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 6am – 10am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 4:30am – 10am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 3:30am – 9am)
*AEDT, check local guides