Arnold Palmer Invitational: Friday Tee Times and Round 2 Pairings at Bay Hill
The second round of the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational is set to commence Friday morning, March 6th, at the prestigious Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida. The tournament, a signature event on the PGA Tour, boasts a star-studded field vying for a share of the $20 million purse. Fans can follow all the action live on Golf Channel and PGA Tour Live on ESPN+, with coverage beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET. The event marks a significant moment in the 2026 season, drawing attention not only for the competition but too for the return of players like Justin Thomas after a period of recovery.
World number one Scottie Scheffler enters the day looking to build on a strong opening round and continue his impressive form. Scheffler, a two-time Arnold Palmer Invitational champion (2022, 2024), is aiming for a historic third victory, a feat only accomplished by the legendary Tiger Woods, who has won the tournament eight times. The American has demonstrated remarkable consistency at Bay Hill, never finishing outside the top 25 in five previous appearances. His recent performance at the Genesis Invitational, where he tied for 12th, ended a remarkable streak of 18 consecutive top-10 finishes, but he appears poised to begin another run this week.
The tournament also marks the return of Justin Thomas to competitive golf after undergoing surgery in November to address a disc issue causing hip pain. Thomas acknowledged the challenges of returning after a six-month absence, stating he understands he will be “rusty in terms of competitiveness.” Despite this, he feels his swing is in good condition and is focusing on maintaining concentration throughout the demanding four rounds. His first-round performance will be closely watched as he attempts to regain his form and contend for a title.
Featured Groups and Tee Times
One of the most anticipated pairings for Friday’s second round features Scottie Scheffler alongside Russell Henley, teeing off at 1:30 p.m. ET. Scheffler was asked about his recent tournament starts and reminded reporters that, despite any perceived sluggish starts, he has only had three truly poor rounds in his last four events. This consistency underscores his status as a dominant force in professional golf. Other notable groupings include Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland, as well as Collin Morikawa and Justin Rose.
Here’s a complete look at the Friday tee times (Eastern Time):
- Tee No. 1
- 7:40 a.m. – Nicolai Højgaard, Austin Smotherman
- 7:50 a.m. – Si Woo Kim, Bud Cauley
- 8:00 a.m. – Lucas Glover, Ryo Hisatsune
- 8:10 a.m. – Ryan Gerard, Jason Day
- 8:20 a.m. – Taylor Pendrith, Denny McCarthy
- 8:30 a.m. – Kurt Kitayama, Pierceson Coody
- 8:40 a.m. – Jordan Spieth, Sam Stevens
- 8:50 a.m. – Jake Knapp, Matt Fitzpatrick
- 9:05 a.m. – Sam Burns, Sungjae Im
- 9:15 a.m. – J.J. Spaun, Nick Taylor
- 9:25 a.m. – Keegan Bradley, Maverick McNealy
- 9:35 a.m. – Ben Griffin, Tommy Fleetwood
- 9:45 a.m. – Nico Echavarria, Ludvig Åberg
- 9:55 a.m. – Jacob Bridgeman, Chris Gotterup
- 10:05 a.m. – Justin Thomas, Hideki Matsuyama
- 10:20 a.m. – Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland
- 10:30 a.m. – Rickie Fowler, Michael Kim
- 10:40 a.m. – Chris Kirk, Sahith Theegala
- 10:50 a.m. – Joel Dahmen, Daniel Bennett
- 11:00 a.m. – Jhonattan Vegas, Tom Hoge
- 11:10 a.m. – Ryan Fox, Billy Horschel
- 11:20 a.m. – Brian Campbell, Patrick Rodgers
- 11:35 a.m. – Matt McCarty, Max Greyserman
- 11:45 a.m. – Taylor Moore, Andrew Putnam
- 11:55 a.m. – Daniel Berger, Alex Noren
- 12:05 p.m. – Min Woo Lee, Michael Thorbjornsen
- 12:15 p.m. – Harry Hall, Corey Conners
- 12:25 p.m. – Cameron Young, Sepp Straka
- 12:35 p.m. – Harris English, Patrick Cantlay
- 12:50 p.m. – Andrew Novak, Robert MacIntyre
- 1:00 p.m. – Brian Harman, Akshay Bhatia
- 1:10 p.m. – Collin Morikawa, Justin Rose
- 1:20 p.m. – Xander Schauffele, Shane Lowry
- 1:30 p.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Russell Henley
- 1:40 p.m. – Aldrich Potgieter, Adam Scott
- 1:50 p.m. – J.T. Poston, Keith Mitchell
Broadcast and Streaming Information
Golf fans have multiple options to follow the action from Bay Hill. The second round will be broadcast on Golf Channel from 2:00 p.m. To 6:00 p.m. ET. For those preferring streaming, PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will offer exclusive coverage starting at 7:30 a.m. ET, including featured groups and featured hole streams throughout the day. ESPN+ provides comprehensive access to PGA Tour events for subscribers.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational continues to be a pivotal event on the PGA Tour, attracting the world’s top golfers to Bay Hill. With Scheffler aiming for a record-tying third victory and the return of players like Thomas, the tournament promises compelling competition and captivating storylines. The challenging course and high stakes will undoubtedly test the skills and resilience of these elite athletes.
The tournament’s significance extends beyond the competition itself. The event honors the legacy of Arnold Palmer, a golfing icon whose impact on the sport is immeasurable. Bay Hill Club & Lodge, meticulously designed and maintained, provides a fitting backdrop for this prestigious tournament, offering a challenging yet fair test for the world’s best golfers.
Looking ahead, the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational is scheduled for Saturday, March 7th, with the final round concluding on Sunday, March 8th. Golf enthusiasts can stay updated on the latest scores, news, and highlights through the PGA Tour’s official website and various sports news outlets.
What are your predictions for the weekend? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow golf fans!