Arnold Palmer Invitational Power Rankings: Ranking the Top Golfers in this Week’s Field
The Arnold Palmer Invitational begins on Thursday, March 2nd, in Orlando, Florida. Johnny Covers shares his top 5 rankings for the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
![Scottie Scheffler tees off at the 16th at TPC Scottsdale](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dk44tQ38GspxpYE2hAYwmS-415-80.jpg)
This week's Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club and Lodge will again draw a star-studded field.
The current trajectory of sanctioned events feels front-loaded, but that is how the schedule is at this point in the season, just before majors begin ramping up next month with The Masters.
Moving forward, it will be difficult to find many consecutive weeks without at least one elevated event, as the PGA Tour is now in serious competition with LIV Golf in terms of retaining the world's best golfers. As usual, the lowest 65 golfers and ties from this week's small field of 120 players will advance after 36 holes.
Let's take a look at who sits atop the odds leaderboard pre-flop.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational Odds
Golfer | Odds |
Jon Rahm | +1800 |
Scottie Scheffler | +2200 |
Rory McIlroy | +2200 |
Xander Schauffele | +3500 |
Will Zalatoris | +3500 |
Tony Finau | +3500 |
Patrick Cantlay | +3500 |
Max Homa | +3500 |
Justin Thomas | +3500 |
Colin Morikawa | +3500 |
The Arnold Palmer Invitational Course - Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, FL
From this event's first iteration in 1979, Bay Hill Club and Lodge have been the hosts, as golf legend Arnold Palmer has played MC. Palmer redesigned this Dick Wilson creation in 2009 after it had been first put out in the early 1960s.
Looking at the scorecard, we see that the par 72 course is 7,466 yards long, well above the Tour average of 7,200 yards. Big numbers are prevalent on this course, as one might anticipate from one in Florida.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational Power Rankings
Until I see otherwise, Rahm is the best player in the world. Coming into this week, he has gained an astounding 3.25 strokes per round over the course of his last 36 rounds. The score is by far the highest in this field and one of the best we've ever seen.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Even though McIlroy hasn't performed at his best in his last two starts, he hasn't finished lower than T32, which serves to highlight his greatness and the bar we set for him.
The winner here last year at -5, Scheffler, is again starting to heat up at exactly the right time this season. Coming into the week, he is +20.1 in Strokes Gained: OTT over his past 24 rounds.
Second, only behind Tom Hoge, Schauffele is +25.4 in SG: Approach over his past 24 rounds, a critical metric for success here. Unlike Hoge, Schauffele can win on any given week.
Morikawa recently finished in a T-6 at Riviera, where he earned 8.25 strokes from the tee to the green. Having participated in four tournaments this year, missing the cut in Phoenix but winning the runner-up prize, placing third, and placing sixth in his other three starts.
For the better part of the past decade, Johnny has been covering sports betting markets and handicapping games. Along the way, he has written for publications such as All-In Magazine, Blitz Predict, FantasyPros, BettingPros, Sportsbook Review, OddsChecker, and now, Golf Monthly. In addition to giving out picks on Twitter, Johnny is the host of the podcast The Daily Sports Bet, a 10 minute or less listen with actionable insights.
-
Which LIV Golfers Played In The Tokyo 2020 Olympics
The men’s field of 60 featured 14 players who would later sign for LIV Golf – here are the details on who they are and how they performed
By Mike Hall Published
-
The 5 LIV Golfers In Contention For The $18m Individual Title
With tournaments running out, there are still a handful of players in contention for the $18m individual title - here are the details
By Mike Hall Published
-
'A Dream Come True' - Jon Rahm Relishing Return To Paris For Olympic Bid
A return to Paris will hold fond memories for Jon Rahm as he completes "a dream come true" in playing in the Olympic golf event
By Paul Higham Published
-
How Much Money Has Xander Schauffele's Caddie Austin Kaiser Earned In 2024?
Austin Kaiser has likely earned a significant amount of money this season as a result of Schauffele's double-Major-winning campaign
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy Reacts To First Open Missed Cut In Five Years
The four-time Major winner struggled yet again on Friday, as McIlroy stuttered to a four-over-par round of 75 to miss the cut comfortably at Royal Troon
By Matt Cradock Published
-
9 Big Names To Miss The Cut At The 2024 Open
A number of box office names are heading home early after missing the cut at Royal Troon
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Justin Thomas Comes Up Over 80 Yards Short On Par 3 At The Open
Strong winds at Royal Troon have been playing havoc with golf shots throughout the day - with Justin Thomas the latest victim
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy Gets Putting Tips From Luke Donald Ahead Of Open Championship
The world No.2 said he picked the brain of Europe Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald to help with getting a feel of the greens at Royal Troon
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
‘I Blanked Tiger Woods’ - Rory McIlroy Admits Never Receiving Woods' Message After Changing His Number
Tiger Woods reached out to console McIlroy after his US Open collapse but the Northern Irishman admits missing the message
By James Nursey Published
-
Everything Rory McIlroy Said Ahead Of The 152nd Open
From his game being in "really good shape" to accidentally blanking Tiger Woods, here's everything McIlroy said ahead of Troon
By Elliott Heath Last updated