Arnold Palmer Invitational 2014: Tee Times, Date and TV Schedule

The Arnold Palmer Invitational tees off at Bay Hill in Orlando on Thursday with a top field gunning to make people forget two-time defending champion Tiger Woods will not participate.

With the Masters less than four weeks away, this prestigious tournament is an important stop on the road to the year's first major.  

Besides this tournament's date making it a key tuneup for the Masters, anything bearing Arnold Palmer's name is going to hold special value for most golfers and fans. Palmer's brilliant and charming career expanded the game and was a big key in the progression that has these guys battling for the $6.2 million purse this tournament offers. 

Have a look at the vitals for enjoying this tournament, and then I'll break down a few golfers worth paying extra attention to. 

Dates: Thursday, March 20 to Sunday, March 23 

Tee Times: View the full list of tee times for the first two rounds at PGATour.com. The tee times for the final two rounds will also be at that link when they become available. 

Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Golf Channel	1-2 p.m.; 3-6 p.m.
Golf Channel	3-6 p.m.
Golf Channel	12:30-2 p.m.; 2-5 p.m.
NBC	2-6 p.m.
Golf Channel	12:30-2 p.m.; 2-5 p.m.
NBC	2-6 p.m.

Top Players to Watch 

Henrik Stenson

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Henrik Stenson ended last season as the FedEx Cup champion and clearly the hottest golfer on the planet. 

In his four PGA events this season, he's missed a cut and hasn't finished higher than 16th. 

He isn't overly worried about the slow start. Golf Channel helps highlight: 

Stenson knows what it takes to win this tournament. PGATour.com provides a video of Stenson discussing the tournament:

It is understandable that Stenson would start off slow this season. The Swede cleaned house at the end of last season and watched his bank account take tremendous jumps forward. It would be understandable if a little contentment slowed his offseason preparation. 

Still, this is the time of year where top golfers must dial in, and Stenson is looking for his first major. It will be interesting to see if he offers up a better performance. 

Bubba Watson

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Over the last six weeks, Bubba Watson has played four PGA events. He has a win, two seconds and a ninth in those events. 

The booming left-hander is on fire, and he will look to continue that form at Bay Hill. 

Watson has always been a streaky golfer, and his results can vary depending on the venue. Bay Hill is not an ideal course for Watson, but this also isn't a venue that defeats his power on every hole. 

Watson has finished in the top 25 here in each of the last three years. 

This year, things have been a bit different for Watson. He is putting better than even and that's giving him more consistency. If he powers to another strong tournament this week, it could be time to start laying Masters bets on Watson.