Tiger Woods Gets Back On Track, Wins 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational

Tiger Woods Heavy Favorite To Win 2012 Masters After Bay Hill Victory

Not scared of tigers? Sportsbooks are in the wake of Tiger Woods' first PGA win in more than two years. His 2012 Masters odds were chopped in half and the money is still coming.

Tiger Woods Isn't 'Back' Even After Arnold Palmer Invitational Win

Tiger Woods may have finally recorded a win, but don't be so quick to say he's back. Woods still has loftier goals, and may never return to his dominant form.

Arnold Palmer Reportedly Taken To Hospital With High Blood Pressure

Arnold Palmer was taken to the hospital with high blood pressure on the final day of the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational, according to reports.

Tiger Woods Wins 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational By 5 Strokes

Tiger Woods took home his first PGA Tour win since 2009, winning the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational by five strokes over second-place Graeme McDowell. Woods shot 2-under on Sunday to finish at 13-under for the tournament. He hit cruise control on the back nine, recording par on eight of his final nine holes with a bogey on 14th.

McDowell entered the day one stroke back from Woods. He quickly fell out of shouting distance with an up-and-down performance that featured four bogeys, two birdies, an eagle and a double bogey. He finished at 2-over on the day, but despite his inconsistency he was still well ahead of any challengers.

Ian Poulter finished in third place, shooting 2-over to finish two strokes behind McDowell. He just edged out the likes of Ryan Moore, Bubba Watson and Bud Cauley, all of whom finished tied for fourth place at 5-under.

As SB Nation's own Brian Floyd noted heading into the day, a win by Woods doesn't mean he's "back," per say. A win in a major tournament would, however, making the Masters, teeing off on April 5, as "must-see" as a must-see event can be.

For updates and results on the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational, keep checking this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding the wonderful world of golf, please visit Waggle Room or stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated golf hub.

Arnold Palmer Invitational 2012 Leaderboard: Tiger Woods Comfortably In Front On Back 9

Tiger Woods is just a few holes away from recording his first win since 2009, leading by four strokes as the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational winds down. Woods is at 2-under for the day and 13-under for the tournament with just four holes to go. He just hit his approach into the green on No. 15 and has the upper hand over his playing partner, Graeme McDowell.

It's clear Woods knows what he needs to do: play conservative golf and avoid mistakes over the final three holes. With McDowell struggling -- at 1-over for the day -- and nobody else close, Woods has been content to plod along, taking less than driver off the tees and hitting safe approaches into the dangerous greens.

Woods is seven shots clear of Ernie Els and Ian Poulter, who sit in a tie for third a few groups ahead of Woods. It's a two-horse race at Bay Hill and, barring a massive collapse, Woods should finally break through in his final tournament before The Masters.

For updates and results on the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational, keep checking this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding the wonderful world of golf, please visit Waggle Room or stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated golf hub.

Arnold Palmer Invitational 2012: Tiger Woods Leads By 4 Strokes With 7 Holes Left

Tigers Woods is well on his way to winning his first PGA Tour event since 2009, with a four-stroke lead over Graeme McDowell through 11 holes at the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational. Woods is 14-under for the tournament and 3-under on the day, making birdie on holes three, four, six and eight after bogeying on the second. He has now birdied on 12 of the 14 par fives he has faced over the past four days.

McDowell is the only player left within reasonable striking distance, though he hasn't shown anything Sunday to indicate he can make a run down the tournament's final stretch. McDowell has been all over the map, shooting 1-under through 11 holes with a bogey, eagle, double bogey and two birdies.

Three players are tied for third place at 6-under overall. Tim Herron is the biggest mover among the grouping, moving up 14 spots so far on the day with a 3-under performance through sixteen holes. At eight shots back, it would take a complete implosion on Woods' part for Herron, or anyone except McDowell, to challenge for the tournament title.

For updates and results on the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational, keep checking this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding the wonderful world of golf, please visit Waggle Room or stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated golf hub.

Arnold Palmer Invitational 2012: Tiger Woods Off To Strong Start

Tiger Woods has not won an official PGA tournament in two years. On Sunday, he teed off in the final group at the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a chance to make a big statement in his final tune-up for the 2012 Masters.

Woods entered the final round with a one-shot lead, and after one bad hole at the end of his third round, he's looked strong so far on Sunday. Woods has shot one-under through his first five holes and opened up a three-shot lead on Graeme McDowell, who double-bogeyed on his first hole.

I like the way Tiger is swinging the driver. If he keeps the ball in play like this he's gonna be tough to beat. Today or any other.

— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) March 25, 2012

For updates and results on the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational, keep checking this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding the wonderful world of golf, please visit Waggle Room or stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated golf hub.

Tiger Woods Believes Experience Helps Secure Wins

The last two years have been anything but kind to Tiger Woods, who has been plagued by a multitude of high-profile woes and setbacks, both on and off the golf course. On Sunday, he will have an opportunity to win his first PGA tournament since 2010, as he enters the final round of the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational atop the leaderboard, holding a one-stroke lead over Graeme McDowell.

Woods took questions from the media at a press conference following play on Saturday. One of the topics that came up was the subject of players faltering in the final round of play when entering with a 54-hole lead. Woods was asked what is different about a player holding a lead entering the final day.

Well, I enjoy it. That means I've played well to get here. It's not like I'm slashing it all over the place and happened to be at 11‑under par.

If you're in the lead, you've done some good things. That's how I've always looked at it, and it's a nice position to be in.

Woods was then asked why he believes certain players falter in those situations.

Well, they have not won a lot of tournaments. These are not the guys who have won 20‑plus events. They are looking for their first event or they have only won one, or maybe even two.

It's a little bit different story when, in my generation, when you have Vijay and Phil who have won 20‑plus events and they are in that position. It's different when you're looking for your first win. I think most of the guys here this year are looking for their first win; whether it was Kyle or it was Charlie at Pebble, they are guys looking for their first wins.

Tiger is hoping experience will be on his side today as he tries to close out a long-awaited win.

For updates and results on the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational, keep checking this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding the wonderful world of golf, please visit Waggle Room or stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated golf hub.

Tiger Woods In Prime Position To Win Arnold Palmer Invitational

This is it for Tiger Woods, at least until the 2012 Masters kicks off on April 5th. On Sunday at Bay Hill, Woods will tee-off in the final group of the day, leading the Arnold Palmer Invitational by a stroke. Once again he finds himself in contention on Sunday, but unlike the Tiger Woods of old, nothing is assured.

It's been two years since Woods has won an official tournament -- the Chevron World Challenge last win was an unofficial, invite-only event. He's had his chances -- though they've been few and far between -- but has yet to figure out a way to close the deal. And in his final tune-up before the Masters, Woods has a shot to make a statement.

Throughout the week, Woods has been solid, showing no ill effects from a minor Achilles injurysuffered at the WGC-Cadillac Invitational. Friday's 65 vaulted Woods into a share of the lead, and a third-round 71 put him alone in first place as Charlie Wi, his playing partner in the final group, faltered. Only a fainting child kept Woods from taking a three-shot lead, perhaps more, into the final round.

The mystique and aura surrounding Tiger Woods playing on Sunday with a lead is long gone, along with the mental edge that always seemed to cause those around him to wilt in the critical stages of a tournament. But a win at Bay Hill would give Woods a significant boost heading into the Masters while building even more hype for the year's first major. After all, Woods has never won the Masters without winning an event in the run-up.

A win on Sunday won't mean Tiger's back -- win a major, then we can consider the possibility -- while a loss won't be the end of the world. But Tiger showing signs of life and returning to relevancy in a performance sense is good for golf, and a win on Sunday would make The Masters even more must-see than it already was.

Arnold Palmer Invitational 2012: TV Schedule, Tee Times, Parings For Sunday

Tiger Woods' comfortable lead turned to a tight one after three rounds at the Arnold Palmer Classic. After a particularly rough hole, Woods, still once pace for his first PGA win since 2009, birdied No. 16 and closed out the round with two pars, setting up a Sunday pairing with Graeme McDowell, just a stroke behind Woods' 11-under. The pair will tee off at 2:05 p.m. ET.

Ernie Eel's 5-under 67 on Saturday pushed him twelve sports up the leader board to third place. He'll begin Sunday's final round paired with Ian Poulter, who shot 4-under Saturday. Vijay Singh and Sergio Garcia both had miserable third round outings, each shooting a 3-over and each dropping 19 places. Singh will tee off with Henrick Stenson at 11:35 a.m. ET, and Garcia with Martin Laird at 11:45 a.m. ET.

8:10 am Vegas, Jhonattan

8:14 am McGirt, William Gillis, Tom

8:23 am Snedeker, Brandt Reavie, Chez

8:32 am Hurley III, Billy Knost, Colt

8:41 am Gates, Bobby Stallings, Scott

8:50 am Watney, Nick Huh, John

8:59 am Romero, Andres Holmes, J.B.

9:08 am Kendall, Skip Jacobson, Fredrik

9:17 am Pride, Dicky Flores, Martin

9:26 am Allenby, Robert Hoffman, Charley

9:35 am Pampling, Rod Leonard, Justin

9:45 am Thompson, Michael McNeill, George

9:55 am Ishikawa, Ryo Weekley, Boo

10:05 am Walker, Jimmy Wilson, Mark

10:15 am Every, Matt Haas, Bill

10:25 am Harman, Brian Janzen, Lee

10:35 am Villegas, Camilo Love III, Davis

10:45 am Mahan, Hunter Blanks, Kris

10:55 am Trahan, D.J. Gay, Brian

11:05 am Summerhays, Daniel Campbell, Chad

11:15 am Kim, Anthony Chappell, Kevin

11:25 am Overton, Jeff Mickelson, Phil

11:35 am Singh, Vijay Stenson, Henrik

11:45 am Laird, Martin Garcia, Sergio

11:55 am Furyk, Jim Rollins, John

12:05 pm Owen, Greg Teater, Josh

12:15 pm Choi, K.J. Leishman, Marc

12:25 pm Immelman, Trevor Moore, Ryan

12:35 pm Davis, Brian Woodland, Gary

12:45 pm Noh, Seung-Yul Herron, Tim

12:55 pm Rose, Justin Dufner, Jason

1:05 pm Watson, Bubba Simpson, Webb

1:15 pm Johnson, Zach Stroud, Chris

1:25 pm Cauley, Bud O'Hair, Sean

1:35 pm Na, Kevin Wi, Charlie

1:45 pm Howell III, Charles Wagner, Johnson

1:55 pm Els, Ernie Poulter, Ian

2:05 pm Woods, Tiger McDowell, Graeme

TV coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC, and runs until 6:00 p.m. ET. The full tournament leaderboard can be found over here.

For updates and results on the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational, keep checking this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding the wonderful world of golf, please visitWaggle Room or stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated golf hub.

VIDEO: Tiger Woods Has Some Terrible Luck

Arnold Palmer Invitational 2012 Leaderboard: Tiger Woods Leads After 3 Rounds

One bad hole -- really bad by his standards -- turned what could've been a comfortable lead through three rounds into a slim one for Tiger Woods at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Woods was leading by three strokes as he teed off on No. 15, despite a somewhat shaky day that had a much different feel than Friday. And then he hit his tee shot into someone's yard.

An impressive recovery left Woods with a moderate-length bogey putt, but his attempt missed the mark, leading to a double-bogey. Suddenly the three-shot lead was down to one, following the mess.

He did recover, however, birdying No. 16 to get to 11-under. Two pars on the last two holes kept Woods at 11-under, one shot clear of Graeme McDowell. The two will be paired together in the final group on Sunday as Woods tries to finally break through and win an event -- his last chance to do so before The Masters.

You can check out the full tournament leaderboard here.

Tiger Woods Hits Tee Shot Into Someone's Back Yard

Arnold Palmer Invitational 2012: Tiger Woods Holding Strong Atop Day 3 Leaderboard

Tiger Woods remains on pace to finish the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational with his first PGA Tour win since 2009. He is shooting 1-under through eight holes Saturday, pushing him to 11-under overall and two strokes ahead of Graeme McDowell in second place.

Woods started the day with a bogey on Bay Hill's second tee, but rebounded with birdies on holes four and six. The bogey was just his second of the tournament so far. McDowell started the day one stroke back. He bogeyed on three and birdied on four to put himself at even for the day through nine holes.

Bubba Watson and Charlie Wi are tied for third place at 8-under. Watson is one of the day's biggest movers so far, shooting 3-under through 10 holes. Charles Howell III is also having a nice outing, jumping 10 spots on the leaderboard into fifth place with a 4-under performance through 15 holes. He sits four shots off the lead.

You can check out the full tournament leaderboard here.

For updates and results on the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational, keep checking this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding the wonderful world of golf, please visit Waggle Room or stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated golf hub.

Arnold Palmer Invitational 2012: TV Schedule, Tee Times, Pairings For Saturday

Tiger Woods is going to have darn near his entire round shown on television on Saturday. Thanks to his seven-under 65 on Friday, Woods is the co-leader of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He's won the tournament at Bay Hill more times than any other golfer, so it would be a fitting place for him to get his first PGA victory since 2009. He'll be teeing off in the afternoon with Charlie Wi.

Just one stroke behind Woods is Graeme McDowell, who shot a 63 on Friday. After him and Jason Dufner, there's a significant drop-off, but there are a lot of top players waiting in the top ten in case the four guys at the top of the leaderboard slip up. Those players include top-ten world ranked players Justin Rose and Webb Simpson, along with big names such as Sergio Garcia, Vijay Singh and Bubba Watson.

TV coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC, and runs until 6:00 p.m. ET. The full tournament leaderboard can be found over here.

For updates and results on the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational, keep checking this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding the wonderful world of golf, please visitWaggle Room or stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated golf hub.

Arnold Palmer Invitational 2012: Tiger Woods Atop Leaderboard After Superb Round

There's still a long way to go in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but Tiger Woods is perched atop the leaderboard after an excellent second round at Bay Hill. Woods followed up his first-round 69 with a 7-under 65 on Friday, taking a one-shot lead into the clubhouse with a few golfers still left out on the course.

It was a clean round for Woods, with seven birdies and no bogeys on the day. On 18, Woods just missed putting an exclamation point on his round as his birdie putt hit a pock mark in the green and hopped just off-line, burning the edge of the hole. He did, however, settle for a par, maintaining his clean scorecard.

Woods is chased by Jason Dufner and Graeme McDowell, who each sit one-shot back at 9-under for the tournament. Charlie Wi, still on the course at this time, is two shots back at 8-under and still has plenty of room to catch Woods before the second round comes to a close.

The full leaderboard can be found over here.

Arnold Palmer Invitational 2012: Jason Dufner, Graeme McDowell Sit Atop Day 2 Leaderboard

There's still plenty of golf left to be played Friday at the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational in Bay Hill (Tiger Woods is at 2-under, 5-under overall through five holes) but the top end of the leaderboard has already finished up for the most part. Jason Dufner entered the day in a first-place tied with Charlie Wi. Dufner is still tied atop the leaderboard, but Graeme McDowell has supplanted Wi for the time being at 9-under overall after shooting 9-under for the round. Wi is in third place at three shots back with nine holes still left to play.

McDowell was four shots better on Day 2 than any other golfer who has finished so far. Sergio Garcia is second on the day so far with a 5-under performance (now 5-under overall). He sits in a tie with Vijay Singh and Bubba Watson for fourth place at the moment.

Woods is four shots off the lead for now, in a four-way tie for fourth place. He still has 13 holes left to play, however. He shot par on his first three holes before carding birdies on Nos. 4 and 5. Head over to PGATour.com for a full live leaderboard.

For updates and results on the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational, keep checking this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding the wonderful world of golf, please visit Waggle Room or stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated golf hub.

Arnold Palmer Invitational 2012: TV Schedule, Tee Times, Pairings For Friday

The 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational is being played at the Bay Hill course that Tiger Woods has had a lot of success on in his career. And Woods' Thursday served notice that he might be a factor on it this weekend, too.

Woods' 3-under 69 on Thursday has him tied for fourth at the Orlando tournament, and just three shots behind Charlie Wi and Jason Dufner, both tied for the lead after 6-under 66s. Nick Watney sits in between the leaders and Woods at 4-under.

Here are some of the most important tee times and pairings for Friday's second round. All times are Eastern, and you can catch TV coverage of the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational on The Golf Channel from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to midnight, or watch the event via the PGA Tour's free live online stream.

Bay Hill Club and Lodge Tee #1

12:56 p.m.: Ernie Els, Hunter Mahan, Tiger Woods

1:08 p.m.: Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose, Webb Simpson

Bay Hill Club and Lodge Tee #10

7:52 a.m.: Ricky Barnes, Jason Dufner, Ken Duke

8:15 a.m.: Jonathan Byrd, D.A. Points, Ian Poulter

12:56 p.m.: Robert Garrigus, John Huh, Nick Watney

1:42 p.m.: Chad Campbell, Brandt Jobe, Charlie Wi

Arnold Palmer Invitational 2012: Scores And Leaderboard

Thursday's first round of competition at the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Fla., is in the books. Tiger Woods is looking to rebound from a left Achilles injury that forced him to withdraw from his last tournament. If Woods is able to pull off the win over the weekend, it will be his seventh victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Defending champion Martin Laird is also in the field, as are a bevy of other notable names.

While Laird finished at par for the day, Woods had a solid opening round. Woods is currently tied for fourth place, finishing at 3-under on Thursday. If not for a bogey on the 18th hole, Woods would have tied with Nick Watney in third place at 4-under.

After the first round of play, Charlie Wi and Jason Dufner share the lead. Both shot a 66 to end the day tied atop the leaderboard at 6-under.

For updates and results on the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational, keep checking this StoryStream. For all news and information regarding the wonderful world of golf, please visit Waggle Room or stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated golf hub.

Arnold Palmer Invitational 2012: TV Schedule, Tee Times, Pairings For Thursday

The 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational tees off on Thursday from Bay Hill in Orlando. It will be the first tour appearance for Tiger Woods since he withdrew with an Achilles injury from the final round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral two weeks ago in Miami. Woods, however, has kept himself busy since then by playing in the Tavistock Cup earlier this week. On Wednesday, he also revealed that he played Augusta National on Sunday, his first full round since Doral and he said he felt great. This will almost certainly be his final appearance before The Masters, and it has historically been a friendly tune-up with six previous wins at Bay HIll against a consistently strong field.

Woods will go off in the morning flight on Thursday, playing with Hunter Mahan and hard-luck loser Ernie Els, who bogeyed the final two holes last week to cough up the Transitions Championship. Els is still trying to qualify for The Masters. Just one group after Woods on the tenth tee will be Phil Mickelson, who's paired with Webb Simpson and Justin Rose, who won at Doral's Blue Monster Course.

Coverage will begin at 3:00 pm EST on Golf Channel on Thursday. Ian Poulter, Bubba Watson and Bill Haas will be some of the stars going off in the afternoon who will be featured during the broadcast.

First wave going off No. 1 tee:

First wave going off No. 10 tee:

Second wave going off No. 1 tee:

Second wave going off No. 10 tee:

For more on the Arnold Palmer Invitational and golf in general, head to SB Nation's dedicated golf hub and golf blog Waggle Room.

PHOTO: Tiger Woods, Ahmad Rashad Go Golfing

Arnold Palmer Invitational 2012 Preview: Tiger Woods Goes For Seventh Title

Martin Laird defends his title against Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and the rest of a very strong field at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.