Texas Children's Houston Open

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The Loop

Bay Hill to play at par-72 for Arnie's tournament

August 26, 2009

Palmer's Bay Hill course in Orlando -- host of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, of course -- is currently undergoing renovations.

All of the greens are being redone, as are the bunkers, which will now each be visible. He's fixed the drainage on Nos. 3 and 6. And some of the par-3s will be lengthened.

The renovations were scheduled to be completed on Oct. 1, but they're ahead of schedule. Arnold will play the first round there on Sept. 4.

Perhaps the biggest news, though, is that after a few years as a par-70, the course will play as a par-72 for next year's event.

"I guess the trend now is that people want to see more birdies," he told me.

When I asked if it really matters whether a player shoots 8-under-par on a par-70 course or 16-under on a par-72, he shakes his head. "Nope," he says. "Not one bit."

--ESPN.com