With the European Tour postponed this week, The PGA Tour resumes with the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club and Lodge, Orlando, Florida.
The 123-strong field will be competing for the $9.3million prize money with the winner receiving a cool $1.6million.
We shall try to follow on from last week with yet another profitable weekend. The main selection was the pick of the bunch at The Puerto Rico Open last week where Brendon Grace didn’t disappoint, winning at a recommended 22/1 each-way.
An absolutely stunning second wedge shot into the 17th landed in the hole to take the South African into a one shot lead heading to the 18th and final hole where he held his nerve to earn the victory.
The other selection Andrew Putnam finished T5th at a recommended 36/1 each-way whilst the NAP also won comfortably as Brandon Wu beat Ollie Schneiderjans after only 36 holes in the 72 hole matchbet by a convincing 11 strokes.
It was almost a double whammy with our main selection Viktor Hovland in contention from start to finish at The WGC Workday at The Concession. However the young Norwegian had to settle for a runners up spot to eventual winner Colin Morinkawa.
We suggested Hovland at 25/1 each-way so still good value and with that 2nd place he easily landed the NAP, finishing in the Top 20 at 10/11. Well done to everyone who followed the selections.
Tyrell Hatton returns to Bay Hill to defend his maiden PGA title he won last year. Previous winners at this stunning venue include Rory McIlroy, Francisco Molinari, Jason Day and Marc Leishman.
The weather is forecast to be mostly sunny with gentle breezes, some showers are expected on Saturday with winds expected to pick up on Sunday.
Rory McIlroy
So let’s get on with this week’s selections, for my first pick I’m going to suggest Rory McIlroy 11/1 each-way at Betfair. The Northern Irishman is finding a groove and it’s time to end a long drought that extends to almost 16 months.
I’ve been watching Rory closely recently and he just seems to have mojo back. His last victory was back in November 2019 at the WGC HSBC Champions in China so it’s time Rory was back where he belongs, winning tournaments.
The former winner here is still ranked 8th in the world and that’s no surprise considering his recent form. In his last ten tournaments, McIlroy has finished in the Top 10 on five occasions with another four Top 20 finishes.
His only blip was at The Genesis Invitational where he missed the cut but then again so did a host of other top ranked golfers including Justin Thomas and Bryson De Chambeau.
Let’s roar Rory on this week and hope he can get back to winning ways especially with a major at The Masters just around the corner.
Tommy Fleetwood
For my next selection I’m going to suggest Tommy Fleetwood at 50/1 each-way with Betfair.
The fact that the Englishman just simply adores playing around Bay Hill suggests to me that the firms have slightly overlooked and overpriced Fleetwood and 50/1 represents amazing value.
Fleetwood was 10th here on his debut in 2017, he then finished 26th the following year in 2018, then in 2019 his best ever finish at Bay Hill saw him finish in the Top 3.
In Fleetwood’s nine starts at The Sunshine State he has finished in the Top 10 on no less than five occasions. The Englishman is still looking for that maiden PGA title but I just feel he may shine in Florida this week. If there was ever any course on the PGA to enhance Fleetwood’s chances then it surely has to be here at Bay Hill.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
I’m going to look for even more value for my next selection and for that reason I’m going to consider Christiaan Bezuidenhout at 80/1 each-way with bet365 .
The South African has been playing more golf on the PGA Tour and the youngster certainly doesn’t look out of place on the circuit.
He is another looking for a maiden PGA Title but he has plenty winning form on The European Tour. He recently won back to back titles on home soil at the Alfred Dunhill Championship then followed that up with a win on at The South African Open.
He was 14th at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai then 12th at the Abu Dhabi Desert Classic where he was runner-up the year before. He finished a respectable 32nd at the WGC Workday at The Concession last week in amongst all the top ranked golfers in the world.
He also played well at The Masters in Augusta back in November finishing a very respectable 38th, not bad for a kid who is only 26yrs of age.
It makes it even more impressive to think that young South African almost died after drinking a bottle of Coca-Cola only to find out it was actually rat poison, just one of the many challenges he has had to overcome on his way to the top.
With most firms offering 1-8 places yet again this week I just feel Bezuidenhout represents terrific value considering a place will return a tidy profit.
Rory McIlroy v Bryson De Chambeau
For my final selection I’m going to pick a 72-hole match bet and make it my NAP. As mentioned, I think Rory is overdue a win therefore I’m predicting him to get the better of the up and down Bryson De Chambeau, 10/11 Nap at Bet365.
Like Tommy Fleetwood for this and will be on him. WH also have him @ 5/1 just to finish top 10 which seems a steal!
Nice first day for all your tips.
Fleetwood off to a steady start andymac1980. 5/1 definitely looks good for Top 10 finish.
Thanks cobretti , yip all three selections looking good but long way to go . I’ll certainly be roaring Rory on and hope he can end a 16 month long drought . It’s going to happen soon .
Good luck chaps .