GolfTalkCentral

Palmer jokes: Break McIlroy's arm if he doesn't play Bay Hill

By Ryan Lavner
Nov 1, 2012 9:38 AM ET

World No. 1 Rory McIlroy has never played the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

And if he decides against teeing it up again in March, there might be some repercussions – from The King himself.

Appearing Thursday on “Morning Drive,” Palmer joked, “I’m going to tell you something: If (McIlroy) doesn’t come and play Bay Hill, he might have a broken arm and he won’t have to worry about where he’s going to play next."

The 2013 Arnold Palmer Invitational will be held March 21-24 at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Fla., and it remains a possibility that McIlroy could add the event to his schedule, with The Masters now a week later (begins April 11).

After the WGC-Match Play Championship in February, the Northern Irishman likely will defend his title at The Honda Classic, which begins Feb. 28, and then play the following week at the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral.

If he doesn’t add the Tampa Tour stop, Bay Hill, or either the Shell Houston Open or Valero Texas Open, McIlroy risks going more than a month without hitting a shot in competition. That’s good news for Arnie.

His Rory dig wasn’t the only bold statement by Palmer, either. The 83-year-old also reiterated his stance on the long putter, saying, “I suggest they make it a part of the game (at all levels), that you cannot anchor the putter against a part of the body.”