Three past major champions added to 2012 field for Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard
Eighteen players have been awarded sponsor invitations to the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard including 2006 champion Rod Pampling, three past major championship winners and the grandson of the tournament host.
The 34th annual PGA TOUR event at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge will be played March 19-25 in Orlando, Florida.
Joining Pampling will be two-time U.S. Open champion Lee Janzen, 1997 British Open champion Justin Leonard, 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir, and Arnold Palmer's grandson, Sam Saunders.
Pampling, Janzen and Weir were among the eight players selected in the category of PGA TOUR Regular or Past Champion members. Others chosen in that category were 2008 U.S. Open runner-up Rocco Mediate, Scott McCarron, Chad Campbell, Brian Davis, and Orlando's Dicky Pride, who has had back-to-back top-10 finishes on the PGA TOUR.
Leonard and Saunders were among the eight players selected in the category of Unrestricted Exemptions. Others chosen in that category were Ryo Ishikawa, the two-time Presidents Cup player who has had 11 victories in Japan, Skip Kendall, Boo Weekley, Robert Damron, Daniel Chopra and Erik Compton.
Jason Kokrak and Billy Hurley III were selected from the category of leading players from the 2011 Qualifying Tournament and the Nationwide Tour.
For tickets to the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard or for more information, visit the tournament website, www.arnoldpalmerinvitational.com, or call the Bay Hill Club ticket office at 407-876-7774 or toll free at 1-866-764-4843. Proceeds from the tournament benefit Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.