Tuesday 10 February 2015 10:48, UK
Rory McIlroy has committed to making his first appearance at the Arnold Palmer Invitational next month as part of his pre-Masters schedule.
McIlroy has yet to feature on the PGA Tour in 2015 but is on a run of seven consecutive top-two finishes on the European Tour, following a runners-up finish in Abu Dhabi with victory at the Dubai Desert Classic.
The world No 1 has turned down previous invites from tournament organisers and seven-time major winner Palmer to appear at Bay Hill, but is looking forward to featuring on March 19.
"I'm delighted to add the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill to my 2015 playing schedule," McIlroy said.
"Mr Palmer is the father figure of modern golf, widening its appeal and bringing the game to a new audience. Every playing professional of my generation owes a debt of gratitude to Arnold Palmer."
The reigning Open and PGA champion will return to action in the Honda Classic later this month, before featuring in the WGC-Cadillac Championship the following weekend.
"I am very pleased that Rory is going to be playing here," Palmer said. “I have talked to Rory about playing here, and it didn't work into his schedule in the past, but he told me that when it did work into his schedule that he would be here, and he is making good on his word.”
First staged in 1979, the event usually boasts a star-studded field ahead of the following month's Masters.
Matt Every is the defending champion after his one-stroke victory over Keegan Bradley last year, while world No 62 Tiger Woods has won the tournament a record eight times.
