Payne Stewart’s 1987 Masterclass at Bay Hill: Why His Record at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Still Stands

The Golfer from Springfield, Missouri Set A Record That Stands Nearly 40 Year Later

The 1987 Arnold Palmer Invitational (then known as the Hertz Bay Hill Classic) was a historic year for the event, primarily because of a dominant, record-breaking performance by Missourian Payne Stewart. Yes, Bay Hill is full of history. But the tournament that year was something special.

The Champion: Payne Stewart

Payne Stewart secured his third career PGA Tour title in spectacular fashion. What made the victory even more “local” was that Stewart actually owned a home just off the 12th tee at Bay Hill. And that was one more piece of the Arnold Palmer Invitational History.

• Final Score: 264 (–20)
• Margin of Victory: 3 strokes over runner-up David Frost.
• The Record: His total of 264 set a 72-hole tournament record that, remarkably, still stands today. While the course now plays as a Par 72, it was a Par 71 at the time, making his 20-under-par performance one of the most efficient scoring displays in the history of the Florida Swing.

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Key Highlights

• The Move: After opening with rounds of 69 and 67, Stewart charged into the lead on Saturday with a blistering 8-under-par 63, nearly matching the course record.
• The “Million Dollar” Ace: One of the most famous moments in tournament history occurred that year when Don Pooley made a hole-in-one on the par-3 17th hole. The feat won him a $1 million prize. In a legendary gesture, Pooley donated half of the winnings ($500,000) to the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.
• Course Conditions: Unlike the “U.S. Open-style” thick rough and lightning-fast greens often seen at Bay Hill today, the 1987 conditions allowed for aggressive scoring, which Stewart and Frost took full advantage of.

1987 Leaderboard (Top 3)

Player	Round Scores	Total Score	To Par
Payne Stewart	69-67-63-65	264	–20
David Frost	66-69-65-67	267	–17
Dan Halldorson	67-70-69-69	275	–9

Here is some more Arnold Palmer Invitational History:

Most Wins (2004—2025)

Player	Wins	Years
T. Woods	4	2013, 2012, 2009, 2008
S. Scheffler	2	2024, 2022
M. Every	2	2015, 2014