The Florida Swing kicks into excessive gear this week as a world-class field steps foot onto Bay Hill Club & Lodge for the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational. In reality, not for the reason that 2022 Open at St. Andrews has such a set of names competed collectively as 44 of the highest 50 gamers within the Official World Golf Rankings will take part within the first designated occasion on the East Coast.
World No. 1 Jon Rahm headlines the motion. looking for his fourth victory of 2023. Raising the trophy in 5 of his final 9 worldwide begins, the Spaniard will try to sustain together with his successful methods in solely his second profession begin at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Patrick Cantlay, Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele are among the many recreation’s elite to make a uncommon displaying at Bay Hill. With solely two appearances between them, this trio of Americans will attempt to mirror the success of their Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup teammate, Scottie Scheffler.
Scheffler, the defending Arnold Palmer Invitational champion, tracked down Viktor Hovland and Billy Horschel over the ultimate few holes to say his second profession title final 12 months. With his win, Scheffler joined different massive names corresponding to Bryson DeChambeau, Tyrrell Hatton, Francesco Molinari, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Tiger Woods (8x) to don the enduring purple cardigan.
Event information
Event: 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational | Dates: Mar. 2-5
Location: Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge — Orlando, FL
Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,466 | Purse: $20,000,000
2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational field, odds
Odds by way of Caesars Sportsbook
- Jon Rahm (6-1)
- Rory McIlroy (17/2): If there’s a horse for the course it’s the world No. 3. In eight appearances, McIlroy has six top-15 finishes, a victory in 2018 and has completed no worse than T27. He arrives off a middling West Coast Swing that failed to provide a top-20 consequence and noticed him relinquish the world No. 1 rating. Given the runs made by Rahm and Scheffler, it’s straightforward to overlook how constantly good McIlroy has been with 4 victories in his final 15 worldwide begins.
- Scottie Scheffler (9-1)
- Max Homa (16-1)
- Viktor Hovland (18-1): A final-round 74 was Hovland’s undoing a season in the past as he appeared prime to enter the winner’s circle at Arnie’s place. His short-game shortcomings got here by way of at the worst of instances as his bunker play allowed Scheffler to zip previous him down the stretch. There was a second in the direction of the tip of 2022 the place Hovland regarded to have discovered these inconsistencies, however his efficiency on the West Coast suggests in any other case.
- Will Zalatoris (18-1)
- Collin Morikawa (20-1): Morikawa’s final win within the United States got here in Florida roughly two years in the past. He is on the cusp of breaking this drought together with his iron play trending to new heights. The two-time main champion nabbed a top-10 consequence right here in 2020 in his first look as knowledgeable, however forecasted winds could throw his possibilities for a loop.
- Justin Thomas (20-1)
- Tony Finau (22-1): He has notched seven straight top-20 finishes and can attempt to carry this early season momentum into preparations for the 2023 Masters. Unfortunately for the 33-year-old, he solely has two profession top-20 finishes in Florida as he tends to wrestle with these grass sorts. But Finau arrives this 12 months with a new-found confidence, so it would not come as a shock if he efficiently navigates this portion of schedule.
- Xander Schauffele (22-1)
- Patrick Cantlay (22-1): The 30-year-old can be making his event debut. The state of Florida has not been a fixture on Cantlay’s taking part in schedule; this marks his first non-Players Championship begin within the Sunshine State for the reason that 2017 Valspar Championship. He arrives off a podium end at the Genesis Invitational the place he ranked first in strokes gained tee to inexperienced.
2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational expert picks
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