The 2025 PGA Tour season has been off to a rocky start, with high-profile absences continuing to plague the tour. And unfortunately, the upcoming Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club & Lodge is no exception. This $20 million tournament, known for attracting the biggest stars in the game, will be missing several notable players this week. With the 70-player field now finalized, let’s take a look at the 5 biggest names who will be absent from the 72-player field.
1. Tiger Woods
It’s no surprise that the absence of Tiger Woods is the biggest blow to the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The 15-time major champion has been a dominant force at Bay Hill, winning the tournament a record eight times. However, Woods is still recovering from a serious car accident earlier this year and has not yet returned to competitive golf. While his presence will surely be missed, we wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on the course soon.
2. Rory McIlroy
Another big name missing from the field is four-time major champion Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman has had a slow start to the season, failing to make the cut in two of his three starts. McIlroy has also been dealing with a nagging back injury, which has forced him to withdraw from several events. While it’s disappointing to not see him at Bay Hill, we hope he takes this time to fully recover and come back stronger.
3. Dustin Johnson
The world number one, Dustin Johnson, will also be absent from the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Johnson has had a strong start to the season, with a win at the Saudi International and a runner-up finish at the Genesis Invitational. However, he has decided to skip this event to prepare for the upcoming Players Championship. While we would have loved to see him compete at Bay Hill, we understand his decision and wish him the best of luck at the Players.
4. Phil Mickelson
Another fan-favorite, Phil Mickelson, will also be missing from the field this week. The five-time major champion has been struggling with his game lately, missing the cut in his last two starts. Mickelson has also been focusing on the Champions Tour, where he has had more success. While it’s always a treat to see Lefty in action, we hope he uses this time to work on his game and come back stronger.
5. Jordan Spieth
Last but not least, Jordan Spieth will also be absent from the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The three-time major champion has been struggling with his form for the past few years and has yet to find his groove. Spieth has also been dealing with a wrist injury, which has forced him to withdraw from several events. While it’s disappointing to not see him at Bay Hill, we hope he takes this time to fully recover and come back stronger.
Despite the absence of these big names, the Arnold Palmer Invitational still boasts a strong field with the likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Thomas, and defending champion Tyrrell Hatton. And let’s not forget the tournament’s namesake, Arnold Palmer, who will always be remembered and honored at this event.
In conclusion, while it’s unfortunate to not see some of the biggest names in golf at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, it’s important to remember that injuries and personal reasons are a part of the game. We wish all the absent players a speedy recovery and hope to see them back on the course soon. And for those competing this week, we can’t wait to see some exciting golf at Bay Hill. Let the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational begin!