This Day in Golf History: March 1

Forty-six years ago on this date in 1979, the first round of the Bay Hill Citrus Classic was held. For 13 years, the Orlando tour stop had been held at Rio Pinar C.C. But Arnold Palmer owned Bay Hill and was able to get the tour stop moved to the course. He shot 70 in the first round and finished 59th with a 294 total. Bob Byman would win with 278. The 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational, at Bay Hill, will be next week, March 6-9. Also, on this date in 1976, Jack Nicklaus won the Tournament Players Championship (later years The Players) at Inverrary C.C. in Lauderhill, Florida. Jack was back on his game, a long way from the 82 he had shot earlier in the year at the Bing Crosby Pro-Am. Nicklaus won by three strokes over J.C. Snead, played the par 5s 13 under par and didn't make a bogey in a final-round, seven-under-par 65.