ORLANDO, Fla. — Rory McIlroy is one of the biggest hitters on the PGA Tour.
But the 5-foot-9 Irishman was eclipsed by former Cy Young Award-winning pitcher CC Sabathia during the Pro-Am for the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
“He’s a big man,” McIlroy marveled. “I wasn’t into baseball that much growing up, but I know that he was a legend of the game and obviously played for arguably the biggest team in baseball ... pretty cool.”
Mind you, Sabathia, who stands 6-foot-6 and pushed 300 pounds during 11 seasons with the New York Yankees, was no match for McIlroy.
Sabathia’s size did not translate to distance. Then again, a man who won 251 games was not paid to hit.
“When he connected with it, yeah,” McIlroy said. “He needed a little work on his grip. So I tried to help him with that.”
Wednesdays on the PGA always yield unique pairings. Sharing fine points is part of the fun for the engaging, easy-going McIlory.
“You can always pick up little things from them that you can maybe try to cross over into your sport,” McIlroy said.
UCF coach Gus Malzahn golfed with Webb Simpson at Bay Hill Club & Lodge. Another interesting grouping featured musicians Ben Rector and Russell Dickerson along with IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin played with 2023 Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson.
Arnie’s good works
During Monday’s junior golf clinic, the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation presented a grant for a new transit van to the First Tee Central Florida, addressing the transportation of participants.
The foundation also named three First Tee scholarship recipients:
— Brock Hildebrand. A senior at Winter Park High and First Tee member since 2014, Hildebrand will attend UCF. He is a member of the school’s golf team who received an internship to PGA TOUR Superstore, where he will continue work while also coaching with First Tee.
— Sara Rintoul. A UF junior major in business management, she is an original First Tee Central Florida member and was selected to the inaugural national First Tee College Scholarship Class in 2020. Sara interned at the API in 2022. Also a Special Olympics volunteer, Rintoul will be intern this summer with Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati.
— Cole Chastain. After nine years with First Tee Central Florida, he is a sophomore at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas, where he plays on the golf team and doubles majors in mechanical and material joining engineering. Chastain now volunteers with the local First Chapter in Texas.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational, Orlando Health and the PGA Tour combined to donate $25,000 to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to address food insecurity in southwest Orange County.
Partnership extended
Mastercard, the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation and the PGA Tour announced a multi-year extension to their longstanding sponsorship. Mastercard’s relationship with the Arnold Palmer Invitational began in 2004, and over the years the pairing has raised raise millions of dollars for children and families in the Orlando area and beyond.
“We are grateful to have Mastercard’s backing as we continue to recognize Mr. Palmer’s place in history and his passion for helping others,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said.
The API is one of three player-hosted invitationals, along with Tiger Woods’ Genesis Invitational and Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament presented by Workday. All three are among the Tour’s new designated events offering a $20 million purse with $3.6 million for the winner.
Tickets, parking
— Grounds tickets remain available for Thursday for $65 and Friday-Sunday for $80. Mastercard holders receive exclusive pricing: a 10% discount on all tickets (excluding tax) when using their card. All tickets and parking must be purchased in advance. There will be no walk-up sales. Select Thursday White Claw Fan Deck tickets ($115) are available.
— General parking, located at the Universal Orlando parking garage, is $15, paid at the Universal gate. Free shuttle service is provided to entrance near the Main Entrance at the 18th Tee Box. Shuttles began at 6:45 a.m. Thursday-Sunday to main entrance. Shuttles return beginning at 1 p.m. from the entrance at the 18th tee box and main entrance. Ride share drop-off will be on site in Lot 8.
— New Fan Village on near the 9th hole offers a second Orlando Health Family Care suite and new ways to watch the live telecast. New concession options, a Bushmills Irish Whiskey bar and interactive opportunities are available.
