Sandy Lane previews this week’s PGA Tour event, The Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.
Please note that bets must be placed by 12.45 on Thursday.
Another week, another 100-1 plus winner in the most extraordinary start to a PGA Tour season that your writer can ever remember. Full marks, though, to Austin Eckroat, who played superbly to land the spoils in last week’s Cognizant Classic. Shane Lowry, one of our picks, who had been 45-1 in places at the start, went into the last day tied for the lead. His 7-4 odds allowed us to hedge our bets (I greened out: Ed.), and his final T4 placing also landed the each-way money. In the eight mayhem-riddled tournaments played to date, our selections have produced an 80-1 winner, two seconds, two thirds, a fourth and a 6th.
Onwards and Upwards to Bay Hill, home of the late, great Arnold Palmer, winner of 62 PGA Tour titles, including four Masters. It’s a breathtakingly beautiful parkland Par 72 course that presents players with a stiff challenge, highlighted by a plethora of water hazards and very tricky-to-read greens. Three of the last six winners have been European. Only 69 elite golfers have been invited. The key stats required here include Greens in Regulation, Scrambling, and Strokes Gained Putting. With all this in mind, here are my Big 5 Selections: Name and Current Price:
- Jordan Spieth [22/1 5p 20/1 7p]: Loves this course with its Bermuda Grass. Has enjoyed a good season to date and his driving, in particular, has been immaculate. He ticks or double-ticks almost every stats box.
- Sam Burns [25/1 gen]: Has had 4 top tens here in recent years. In decent form and another multiple stats box scorer, there is nothing not to like.
- Ludvig Aberg [18/1 gen]: The first of three non-Americans on our list has been a revelation recently and is now up to 11th in the world rankings. The Swede is a class act.
- Matt Fitzpatrick [33/1 5p – 28/1 7p]: The popular man from Sheffield is hard to catch right but has proved himself here with four top tens in nine starts at Bay Hill. Looks sure to be in the mix.
- Christiaan Bezuidenhout [100/1 Bet 365 80/1 gen]: The South African has an affinity with Arnie’s course, having had 3 top twenties in the tournament. He should outrun his inflated odds.
Throw in Cameron Young [all prices 18/1 – 25/1], who must surely lose his maiden tag very soon and stakes 1 point each way on all. After 54 holes, look out for Rory McIlroy [9/1], who is showing improved form, and Jason Day [33/1 gen], a previous winner and another in good shape recently.
Good Luck – Sandy Lane