Defending champion Jason Day says this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational will be highly emotional without the presence of the legendary golfer at his own US PGA Tour event.
Australian world No.2 Day earned a rare slice of golfing history with his one-shot victory at Florida's Bay Hill course last year, becoming the event's last winner to enjoy the customary drink with seven-time major champion Palmer.
Palmer earned the nickname 'The King' and is credited with popularising golf during a decorated career that delivered 62 US PGA Tour victories.
He died aged 87 in September last year from heart complications.
"I think it's going to be very emotional; it's just not going to be the same without The King," Day told AAP.
"It's very humbling to know I had that last celebratory drink with him as a tournament winner, which is never going to happen again.
"It's a special memory I'll always have with me."
Day arrives at Bay Hill having overcome both an ear infection and flu that forced the 27-year-old's withdrawal from the World Golf Championships event in Mexico City two weeks ago.
It added to the Queenslander's recent health concerns, having also spent the last three months of 2016 recovering from a lower back injury.
But three weeks out from the Masters, Day believes his body is back to 100 per cent.
"The body feels good in general. Obviously a rest was what I needed and I feel like I'm swinging it pretty good, so we'll see how it goes this week," said Day.
"I'm here to compete and win at Bay Hill this week, but I know I'll be prepared and ready for Augusta when it comes around."
Day, who surrendered a 47-week reign as world No.1 to American Dustin Johnson in February, faces stiff competition in his title defence - beginning with No.3 Rory McIlroy.
The Northern Irishman tied for seventh at the WGC Mexico two weeks ago, his first tournament after spending the previous seven weeks sidelined with a fractured rib.
World No.4 Hideki Matsuyama will also contest the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and the Japanese star already has three victories (one unofficial - invitation only) and two runner ups on the US PGA Tour this season.
Other big names in the field include Sweden's world No.5 Henrik Stenson, fresh off a top-10 finish at last week's Valspar Championship, as well as recent Honda Classic champion Rickie Fowler and Englishman Justin Rose.
Australians in the field include Day, young stars Ryan Ruffels and Curtis Luck (amateur), 2006 Bay Hill champion Rod Pampling, Greg Chalmers, Steven Bowditch, Aaron Baddeley and Cameron Smith.
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