The PGA Tour continues with another elevated big-money event with this week's Arnold Palmer Invitation at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge, Orlando, Florida.
The 120 field strong with the top 65 including ties making the weekend will all be competing for a share of the staggering $20M prize purse with the winner collecting the Arnold Palmer Invitational title and a winner's cheque for a cool $3.6M along with 550 FedEx points.
With 44 of the world's top 50 players in attendance this week at Bay Hill for a number of reasons, respect for Arnold Palmer who sadly passed in 2016, the money shown above and also preparation for next week's 5th Major, The Players Championship at Sawgrass, it’s safe to say we can look forward to another golfing extravaganza over the next few days. The winds are also forecast to blow at Bay Hill to make the already tough test even tougher but more on that later.
Scottie Scheffler returns to defend his title having gone on the rampage on the PGA Tour at this time last year winning almost everything he entered including The Masters which is fast approaching. Scottie’s winning scorecard around here 12 months ago read 283, -5.
Bay Hill, designed by Arnold Palmer will be playing 7,466 yards long this week, it’s a par 72 Parkland layout with water features galore and over 100 bunkers to negotiate, it’s been described as one of the best experiences in golf.
The key attribute at Bay Hill this week will almost certainly involve accuracy and precision along with a hot putter on these tricky raised Bermuda grass greens.
The weather is forecast to be partly cloudy with sunny intervals throughout. The first and last rounds on Thursday and Sunday will see calmer conditions but the wind is set to blow on Friday and Saturday peaking at around 22mph, definitely enough for concern around here.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf with live coverage starting at midday on Thursday.
So let’s crack on with this week's betting tips for the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Scottie Scheffler 10/1 EW 1-5 places Bet365
For my first and main selection at Bay Hill, I’m going to strongly recommend the defending champion Scottie Scheffler 10/1 EW 1-5 places Bet365 or 9/1 1-10 places Paddy Power.
The 26-year-old from Ridgewood, New Jersey was all over my radar this time last year and although I tipped him to win three of his four titles in 2022, I never tipped him for this event. It all started for Scottie at last year's Phoenix Open winning his maiden title as advised, he then went on to win another three in the same year.
For me it’s not just about picking the winner every week, I’m always on the lookout for players who are in a groove and who arrive at certain events with an advantage best of the rest. This was a classic case with Scottie Scheffler last year who I said would win his maiden title and that many more would follow and he certainly didn’t disappoint. Winner at the Phoenix Open and then the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he then went on to scoop the WGC Dell Technologies Matchplay which was followed with a maiden major victory at The Masters, this was all in a matter of weeks. After his victory at Augusta, Scheffler never won again in 2022 but did come close on a few occasions with runner-up finishes at The US Open, Charles Schwab Challenge and the Hero World Challenge.
I could go on and on with other Top 10 finishes throughout the year but you get the picture. Let’s get back to 2023 where Scheffler has entered four events this year and has finished no worse than 12th place, truly remarkable.
It gets much better considering one of those was another W when successfully defending his Phoenix Open crown just a couple of weeks back. With that win already in the bag, it would come as no surprise if the World No 2 regained that Top spot again anytime soon although Jon Rahm may have something to say about that. Golf is so exciting at the moment with all these top players competing to be the best and it could be Scottie Scheffler who’s shining once again this coming Sunday in the Sunshine State.
Collin Morikawa 20/1 EW 1-6 places BetFred
For my next best betting tip to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational I’m going to point you all in the direction of Collin Morikawa 20/1 EW 1-6 places BetFred or 18/1 EW 1-10 places PaddyPower. The 26yrs old from Los Angeles, California already has six victories in the bag including two majors and I just have a feeling that another W is imminent for this talented kid. Morikawa would be the first to admit that it was a quiet year for him in 2022 but he is still ranked among the best 10 players on the planet at the moment.
He had seven Top 10 finishes throughout 2022 with notable performances, including 2nd at the Genesis Invitational, 5th at The Masters, T5th US Open, T5th FedEx St Jude Championship and T5th also at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.
However, what has caught my eye, just like Scheffler is his performances since the start of the year. In 2023 apart from the missed cut at the Phoenix Open, Morikawa has been on fire, T6th last time out at the Genesis Invitation,3rd at the Farmers Insurance and runner-up at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.
With all these players at the top competing to be the best it’s one of the most exciting sports to be watching at the moment for us armchair fans and this week will be no different in Florida.
It is going to be all about precision and accuracy at Bay Hill and who better than the wizard himself to get back in the winner’s enclosure with another well-deserved victory as he shoots down the big guns and comes up trumps, he could be the ace in the pack and the main attraction this weekend in Orlando.
Rickie Fowler 70/1 EW 1-5 places Betfred
For my final outright selection, I’m going to suggest an outsider in the pack, Rickie Fowler 70/1 EW 1-5 places BetFred or 50/1 EW 1-10 places PaddyPower.
If you read my previews you’ll know that I've mentioned that the ever-likeable 34-year-old American from California has been popping up on the radar with some fine recent performances. With three top 20 finishes at the last three times of asking, Rickie could be eyeing up a victory anytime soon and it could possibly be this weekend in his own backyard where he has resided for many years.
He has won two of his six PGA titles in Florida, The Players Championship in 2015 and the Honda Classic in 2017 and although without a W since 2019, I’m not allowing that to put me off as another is just around the corner if you ask me.
Fowler has made the cut at all four events entered this year with two of those being top 20 finishes and one inside the top 10. T20th last time out at the Genesis Invitational can be backed up with 11th at the Farmers Insurance and 10th at the Phoenix Open. At the tail end of last year, he finished runner-up at the Zozo Championship and 6th at the Fortinet Championship so it’s clear for all to see that Rickie Fowler certainly arrives at Bay Hill with form in the bag.
With next week's Players Championship looming, an event Rickie clearly enjoys having won and also coming close on a few occasions, expect fireworks from Rickie Fowler as he ignites his many adoring fans with another famous performance as he lifts the Arnold Palmer trophy aloft, I'm sure the man himself would be looking down with a grin.
So all that’s left now is the match bet and for this week's Nap I’m going to make it a SuperBanker Nap as this field deserves no less.
We have landed three out of four SuperBankers this year so let’s keep up the good run with Jason Day to beat Sungjae Im over the 72 holes 5/6 SuperBanker Nap Bet365.
Arnold Palmer Invitational Betting Tips
- Scottie Scheffler 10/1 EW 1-5 places Bet365
- Collin Morikawa 20/1 EW 1-6 places BetFred
- Rickie Fowler 70/1 EW 1-5 places Betfred
- Jason Day to beat Sungjae Im over the 72 holes 5/6 SuperBanker Nap Bet365
Puerto Rico Open
Theirs another PGA Tournament taking place this week with the Puerto Rico Open so I’ll provide my three best selections for those interested.
Nate Lashley 16/1 EW Bet365.
Kevin Roy 55/1 EW William Hill.
Brice Garnett 40/1 EW Sporting Index.
In December 2020 we sadly 
Is there any draw bias in the tee times as I’ve heard the weather on the Friday isn’t so good?
Hi Wilkyboy1, it’s a very good question but always tricky to answer. It can work both ways really , early starts on Thursday go out later on Friday & vice versa so an advantage can be had for daily match bets etc if one goes off earlier in better conditions or again vice versa . Friday is always a day when the cut is decided & conditions can definitely have an impact on that .What I would advise is be careful as some players thrive in trickier conditions, most good links players for example. Good luck mate ,I definitely think the elements will play a part in proceedings at Bay Hill this week but I’m sticking with my three selections especially my main pick Scottie Scheffler who conquered this course last year with the wind blowing 🤞⛳️