BAY HILL HAS ITS STRONGEST FIELD IN YEARS

So much for the notion the Arnold Palmer Invitational wouldn’t be as attractive when its namesake was no longer around.

Rory Mcilroy, Brooks Koepka, Adam Scott and a host of other top players at Bay Hill in Orlando, Fla., this week give the tournament its strongest field since Palmer died in September 2016.

The condition of the course is good as ever. Florida in March has warmth in the air and the increasing buzz that the Masters is right around the corner.

And it’s still Arnie’s place.

“The legacy of my grandfather, it just doesn’t go away,” Sam Saunders said Wednesday. “And he’s not here to shake hands with the players and see them, but the impact they feel it. They know how important this event is.”

Tiger Woods chose not to play as he picks his tournaments more sparingly because of a fused lower spine.

Even so, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which starts today, is more than holding its own against a schedule that features two World Golf Championships and The Players Championship in the weeks leading to Augusta National.

“It’s very, very hard to pick and choose right now because this is such a strong part of the year,” Graeme Mcdowell said.

Koepka skipped the WGC in Mexico City and is playing five straight events, including the Valspar Championship. Dustin Johnson was in Mexico and has taken two weeks off before going to The Players, Valspar and the Match Play. Justin Thomas has skipped the last two weeks and will play the next three.

Sports and courts

An unnamed man who was a college wrestler in the 1980s has sued the University of Michigan, alleging that a school doctor molested him dozens of times despite the university knowing that he was a threat to athletes. The lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Detroit is the first since victims of late Dr. Robert E. Anderson began to emerge a few weeks ago.

Soccer

Manchester City stayed on course to retain the FA Cup with a 1-0 win over secondtier Sheffield to reach the quarterfinals. City could have turned the win into a rout if not for Wednesday goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith, who made some excellent reaction saves but also a costly error to let Sergio Aguero score the opening goal in the 53rd minute. Meanwhile, Tottenham was knocked out 3-2 on penalties by Norwich.

• Brayan Angulo Tenorio scored all three goals as the Xolos routed Toluca 3-0 in the first leg of their Copa MX semifinal in Tijuana. The second game of the twogame aggregate series will be played Tuesday in Toluca.

Also

The Breeders’ Cup is increasing purses for three of its races, including a $1 million boost that will make the signature Classic worth $7 million starting with this year’s event at Keeneland. The board of directors approved a $2 million boost that will make the Turf worth a total purse of $6 million and a $1 million increase to the Dirt Mile that will raise its purse to $2 million.

• The host San Diego State softball team (14-9) allowed six runs in the top of the sixth inning of a one-run game in an eventual 11-4 loss to Villanova (12-9).

• Point Loma Nazrene’s Darnell Robateau was named Pacwest Newcomer of the Year in men’s basketball and Kaden Anderson made first team. Robateau made second team, and Sterling Somers and Jordan May made third team. In women’s basketball, PLNU’S Cara Liggins made Pacwest second team and Onjalise Carley-hilliard made third team.