Arnold Palmer Invitational: Expert Picks

Tournament Information:

Tourney: Arnold Palmer Invitational
Date: February 24th – 27th
Course: Bay Hill Club and Lodge
Purse: $12mm ($2.2mm to winner)
2021 Winner: Bryson DeChambeau (-11)

Course: Bay Hill Club & Lodge

Built by Bob Simmons in 1961, it was Dick Wilson who actually designed the course. This 7,400 yard Par 72 is a good mixture with some challenges to get from tee to green. The greens themselves are slightly elevated, which stresses good approach shots. A few doglegs run around water, with traps accurately placed around the pin on many greens. The Bermuda grass and length stress importance of good accurate tee and iron shots. The final three holes, much like Valspar, will be a good test to the overall round.

Set Number: X82061 TK5 R1 F123

My Starting 4

Rory McIlroy (first selection this year) – Rory has top 10s every year here from 2017 to last year. He is your definitive favorite for this tournament. He’s 5^th in OWGR and has top 20 finishes in the last three tournaments.

Bryson DeChambeau (first selection this year) — Across the last four years at Bay Hill Club and Lodge, Bryson has three top five finishes, including one win (last year). His style is really thriving here. He’s currently 12^th in OWGR and has top 25s in three of his last four tournaments.

Keith Mitchell (first selection this year) — Keith has top 10 finishes here in two of the last three years. Keith is top 15 in strokes gained off the tee, tee to green, and total. He also has top 15 finishes in five of his last six tournaments.

Luke List (second selection this year) — Luke had top 20 finishes here from 2017-2019. Since Covid-19 hit, he has only played here once and it was a 63^rd place finish—but given the distance and his ability to hit the ball, I think he can bounce back. He’s sixth in FedEx points currently, and currently top 20 in strokes gained off the tee, approaching the green, around the green, tee to green, and total.

My Bench 2

Tyrell Hatton (first selection this year) — Tyrell has top 30 finishes at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in four of the last five years. Hatton has two top 20 finishes this season and his results are falling in line with previous years where he succeeded here.

Tommy Fleetwood (first selection this year) — Tommy has been among the top 10 in three of the last five years here. Tommy missed the cut last week, but he typically rebounds well from missed cuts. Last year he averaged a 9^th place finish the week after a missed cut.

2021-2022 Stats

Start: Average Finish 47th (36th percent)
Bench: Average Finish 54^th (42nd percent)