Bob Weeks Picks Six: Arnold Palmer Invitational

TSN Senior Reporter

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The PGA Tour moves to Orlando, Fla., and the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge.

After a difficult test last week at the Honda Classic on PGA National’s Champion Course, it doesn’t get much easier this week. In 2021, it was the ninth toughest test on the PGA Tour.

Last year, Bryson DeChambeau won with a score of 11 under. While there have been some players who’ve gone deep into red figures, the winning score is more often in single digits or low double.

DeChambeau has withdrawn, owing to those same nagging injuries that have dogged him for a few weeks now. That means no prodigious bombs over the water on the sixth hole this year.

However, there is enough firepower in the field this week to produce some excitement, just like Arnie used to do. Here are my picks for this week’s tournament:

Favourites

Rory McIlroy +1000

It’s hard not to like McIlroy at this tournament based on his previous performances. In his past five starts at Bay Hill, he’s finished 10th, fifth, sixth, winner and fourth. That’s a sterling record on a tough course. He also comes in playing some solid golf with a 10th, a third and a 12th in his last three starts worldwide. In his last two starts at the Dubai Desert Classic and the Genesis Invitational, his putting stats were well into the positive side of Strokes Gained: Putting. Even more impressive might be his wedge play which has also been showing some steady signs of improvement. Put it all together and it’s hard to think he won’t have a good week.

Viktor Hovland +1800

To be frank, Hovland’s track record around this course is not that great. He’s played this tournament three times and been in the 40s all three times. But he’s a changed man