Arnold Palmer Invitational
My predictions for the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Bay Hill is a tough course as five under was the winning score in 2022. It’s another designated event on the PGA Tour with a prize fund of $20,000,000 and the winner receiving $3.6 million. The field is strong for this event with Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas all teeing it up at Bay Hill.
Rory McIlroy has struggled since winning the Dubai Desert Classic as he failed to finish in the top ten at both Waste Management Phoenix Open and The Genesis Invitational. McIlroy shot an amazing round of eight under to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2018. The Northern Irish man is now down to world number three due to Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm winning over the last couple of tournaments. McIlroy likes Bay Hill as he finished tied sixth in 2019, tied fifth in 2020, tied tenth in 2021 and a top 15 finish in 2022. McIlroy needs a win to rejuvenate his year with big tournaments on the horizon which includes The Players at Sawgrass and The Masters at Augusta. My opinion is that McIlroy will win the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Keith Mitchell is currently in good form as he has finished in the top five at both At & T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational in 2023. Mitchell had recent success at Bay Hill as he finished tied fifth in 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational. My opinion is that Mitchell will finish in the top five at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Tyrrell Hatton finished tied second at 2022 Arnold Palmer Invitational. Hatton won at Bay Hill in 2020 edition. Hatton’s recent form is decent as he finished tied sixth at 2023 Waste Management Phoenix Open. Hatton is currently ranked 26th in the world golf rankings and needs to have a good year to make Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup team in Rome. My opinion is that Hatton will finish in the top five this weekend.
Gary Woodland was leading the 2022 Arnold Palmer Invitational until he had a double bogey at the 17th and had to settle for a tied fifth finish. Woodland likes the big events as he finished tied ninth at 2023 The Genesis Invitational. My opinion is that Woodland will finish in the top ten this weekend.
Lucas Herbert won the 2021 Irish Open at Mount Juliet. Herbert finished tied seventh at 2022 Arnold Palmer Invitational. My opinion is that Herbert will finish in the top ten this weekend.
It would be great if Shane Lowry can continue his good form with another high finish. Padraig Harrington is doing it for the over 50s and it would be fantastic if he could make the cut. Don’t forget Seamus Power as he is capable of a good finish in a big event. It’s a world class field and I hope you enjoy the action over the weekend