The PGA Tour continues in Florida this week for the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
Bay Hill promises a stern test as always. A mix of thick rough, firm Bermuda greens, long approaches, and the ever-present water hazards ensures only complete players contend, with distance and iron precision still key factors.
Following last week's 50/1 winner, thanks to Nico Echavarria winning the Cognizant Classic, here's everything you need to know about the 2026 edition of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Arnold Palmer Invitational 2026 key information, prize money and how to watch
Bay Hill has hosted this event since 1979 and remains one of the most challenging non-major tests on the PGA Tour.
The par-72 layout measures 7,466 yards, though with doglegs, water hazards and strategic hole design, it can often play longer than the card suggests.
Firm Bermuda greens and strategic water make accuracy and course management essential.
Venue: Bay Hill Club and Lodge, Orlando, Florida, USA
Dates: Thursday 5th March to Sunday 8th March
Total Prize Purse: £15 million
Winner’s Prize Money: Approximately £2.7 million
TV Channel: Sky Sports Golf, Sky Sports Main Event
Broadcast Times:
Thursday – From 16:00pm
Friday – From 15:30pm
Saturday – From 14:30pm
Sunday – From 14:00pm
Tee Times: Can be found here
What does it take to win at Bay Hill? Key statistics and angles
Winning at Bay Hill really does require a complete game overall. The last nine winners, including the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, Tyrell Hatton and Marc Leishman, would suggest a similar theme.
As any weakness can be exposed, competence across the bag is key. However, gaining off the tee is the common denominator – players who can consistently control that distance off the tee gain and either solid approach play or spike putting performances have then helped carry them over the line.
Long-iron precision and comfort on firm Bermuda greens will be critical. Bay Hill sees more approaches from beyond 200 yards than almost any other PGA Tour venue, yet birdie-or-better rates from long grass are only around 10%.
Players must also navigate nine water hazards and strategically placed bunkers, which often dictate whether aggressive lines or safer plays are rewarded.
Key Statistics to win at Bay Hill:
- Strokes Gained: Approach
- Proximity: 200+ yards
- Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee
- Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green
- Bermuda Putting (Fast Greens)
The profile is pretty clear – a mix of control off the tee, top-tier approach performance, putting upside, and comfort on Bermuda greens.
Correlated Courses to consider:
Courses that share firm Bermuda surfaces, long approaches, penal rough and strategic water often highlight players likely to contend at Bay Hill:
- TPC Sawgrass – The Players Championship
- PGA National – Cognizant Classic
- Quail Hollow Club – Wells Fargo Championship
- Muirfield Village Golf Club – Memorial Tournament
- Doral (Blue Monster) – WGC/Cadillac
- Memorial Park Golf Course – Houston Open
- Riviera Country Club – Genesis Invitational
Course history is important at Bay Hill, as outside of Kurt Kitayama’s debut win, most champions had prior top finishes here or strong results on similar tests. Comfort on Bermuda surfaces and elite ball-striking remain recurring themes.
Arnold Palmer Invitational 2026 Betting Tips and Predictions
Market-wise, Scottie Scheffler leads as the 3/1 favourite, closely followed by Rory McIlroy at 10/1 and Tommy Fleetwood at 18/1.
The event has historically favoured players who combine a distance edge with strong approach play and proven Bermuda credentials, so betting selections will focus on both top-end players as well as high-upside outsiders who fit the Bay Hill profile.
Matt Fitzpatrick – 25/1 each-way (6 places)
Six of Matt Fitzpatrick’s last nine appearances at Bay Hill have resulted in top-15 finishes, including a runner-up effort in 2019, so course comfort is clearly not in doubt.
His recent form figures of T5, T14 and T24 might suggest things are cooling slightly, but unusually, it has been the putter that has let him down, and that’s typically one of the strongest parts of his game.
Returning to a venue where he has historically produced some of his best putting performances could be exactly what he needs.
If the flat stick reverts back to anywhere near his usual level, his control off the tee, tidy long-iron play and strong course history make him a very solid each-way proposition at 25/1.
Back Fitzpatrick to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational at 25/1 each-way with six places on offer at Fitzdares
Nicolai Hojgaard – 60/1 each-way (6 places)
We’re sticking with Nicolai Højgaard after an encouraging showing at the Cognizant Classic.
With a slightly sharper start over Thursday and Friday, he could easily have been right alongside the leaders heading into the weekend.
A superb final-round 65 secured a T6 finish and 22/1 place returns, underlining both his scoring power and how well his long game is trending. His aggressive driving and strength with long irons should translate well to Bay Hill’s demands, where distance and high-end ball striking are essential.
There isn’t a huge amount more to add – the profile fits, the confidence should be high, and at 60/1 he looks worth keeping faith with.
Back Hojgaard to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational at 60/1 each-way with six places on offer at Fitzdares
Sepp Straka – 60/1 each-way (6 places)
Back to the Austrian this week, as Sepp Straka continues to tick plenty of boxes for Bay Hill.
We were on him at Pebble Beach, where he finished second to a red-hot Morikawa, and his effort at Riviera is easy enough to overlook, given his iron numbers remained strong. Straka has a complete and controlled game. He is efficient off the tee, particularly strong with long irons, and a reliable Bermuda putter.
He’s also comfortable in Florida conditions, having previously won at PGA National, and he finished fifth here last year. With the combination of course form, regional comfort and balanced skillset, 60/1 looks generous.
Back Straka to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational at 25/1 each-way with six places on offer at Fitzdares
Ryan Fox – 80/1 each-way (6 places)
Ryan Fox looks to be in very good nick, with recent form figures of T24-T24-T7 suggesting that his game is trending nicely.
He finished 14th here on his only visit in 2023 and is now a far more complete player, having since secured his maiden PGA Tour title at Myrtle Beach before adding another victory in Canada just three starts later. That breakthrough ability to close is important in a field of this strength.
His length off the tee is an obvious asset at Bay Hill, but his overall long-game improvement makes him a strong fit.
At 80/1, he looks the type of high-upside outsider who could easily outperform his price.
Back Fox to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational at 80/1 each-way with six places on offer at Fitzdares
Lewis joined as News and Features Editor in July 2025, having previously held senior roles at Snack Media and GRV Media. He has also written extensively as a football and golf tipster for WeLoveBetting. He is also a proud Aldershot Town supporter.
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