Arnold Palmer Invitational 2024 Tournament

The 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational is rolling into action at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, marking the fourth Signature Event of the Florida Swing with 69 top-notch players in the mix. To keep things interesting, there's a cut: the top 50 players and ties, plus those within 10 shots of the lead, move on for the final 36 holes, all vying for a sweet $20 million purse.

 

The winner not only bags $4 million but also snags 700 FedExCup points. With past champs like Scottie Scheffler and Kurt Kitayama shaking things up, this tournament is sure to give us a sneak peek into what the season might have in store. Bay Hill's challenging 7,400 yards demand mad skills in distance, long irons, and a slick short game around those tricky Bermuda greens.

As history tells us, patience will be key, with only Kevin Chappell managing four rounds in the 60s in the last six years. So, get ready for four days of golf grit!

Bay Hill Golf Course: A Breakdown

Back in 1960, Bay Hill's journey from useless land to a kickass golf course kicked off when some Nashville folks snagged it from citrus grower Dr. P. Phillips. The brainy architect Dick Wilson, armed with the cool Tifway Bermuda grass, shaped the course, winning Arnold Palmer's heart in '65. 

Palmer later took charge in '75 and sweet-talked the PGA Tour into throwing an official tournament bash in '79, a party that still rocks. Despite Palmer's tweaks to make it playable for everyone, the 7,400-yard beast with tough rough and tricky angles is still a tough nut, showing off players' weak spots. 

Even with upgrades for today's golf, people are side-eyeing if it can handle all the fancy tech. The course, with its famous par-5 6th hole and a puzzling par-72 setup, messes with players' heads and bodies. Lately, it's been on the PGA Tour's list of toughies, especially in 2020. 

With Bermuda greens, water surprises, and a love for long-iron moves, Bay Hill is the go-to spot for big-shot champs. It's this mix of classic challenges and modern twists that cements Bay Hill's rep as a golf legend, asking for skills that shout out its wild past and the game's changes.

Arnold Palmer Invitational Field for 2024

Get ready for the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2024, a PGA "signature event" that's all set to deliver some serious golf excitement. The big names are in, with 42 of the world's top 50 players, like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay, and Viktor Hovland, teeing off. Adding to the buzz, recent champs like Austin Eckroat and defending champ Kurt Kitayama are gunning for glory. 

Top dog Scheffler's got the odds in his favor at +650, hot on his heels is McIlroy at +850 to +1,000, and there's a bunch of other contenders like Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, and 2023 champ Kurt Kitayama with some tempting odds. This tournament is shaping up to be a showdown of golf heavyweights, making it a must-watch for fans worldwide.

 

PGA Stats to Know Ahead of 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational

Top SG: Approach Targets

  • Scottie Scheffler - 1st on Tour
  • Matthieu Pavon - 2nd on Tour
  • Christiaan Bezuidenhout - 3rd on Tour
  • Tom Hoge - 4th on Tour
  • Adam Scott - 6th on Tour

Top SG: Off The Tee Targets

  • Rory McIlory - 1st on Tour
  • Sam Burns - 7th on Tour
  • Scottie Scheffler - 9th on Tour
  • Xander Schauffele - 10th on Tour
  • Cameron Young - 15th on Tour

Scrambling Targets

  • Sam Burns - 1st on Tour
  • Kurt Kitayama - 2nd on Tour
  • Jordan Spieth - 6th on Tour
  • Denny McCarthy - 12th on Tour
  • Xander Schauffele - 13th on Tour

Best Course History

  • Rory McIlory - A 1st, a 2nd, a 4th, a 5th, a 6th, and a 10th (9 of 9 Cuts)
  • Scottie Scheffler - A Win, a 4th, & a 15th (3 of 3 Cuts)
  • Matthew Fitzpatrick - A Runner Up, 3 Top 10s, & 2 Top 15s (7 of 8 Cuts)
  • Jordan Spieth - Two 4th Place Finishes (2 of 2 Cuts)
  • Keegan Bradley - 4 Top 10s (11 of last 11 Cuts)

My Best Bets (10-15 Overall, +1.70 Units)

  • Matt Fitzpatrick Top 20 (+110)
  • Keegan Bradley Top 20 (+170)
  • Kurt Kitayama Top 30 (+100)
  • Christiaan Bezuidenhout Top 30 (+110)

One & Done Play

  • Keegan Bradley
 

PGA DFS Picks: Arnold Palmer Invitational

Top-Price Core Plays

Rory McIlory ($10,600)

Rory McIlroy, the 2018 Bay Hill victor, faces a mix of inconsistency and high expectations at the iconic tour venue. Despite a lukewarm start to the PGA Tour season, McIlroy's historical performance at Bay Hill paints a promising picture, with his unparalleled total driving ability and long iron play from the rough providing a built-in advantage. 

Despite recent tournament setbacks, his mastery of the Bay Hill course and leading SG: Off-the-Tee last week signal a potential resurgence, showcasing his proficiency at gaining strokes from tee to green. With Bay Hill's history favoring him and a track record of making impressive putts at the venue, McIlroy's upcoming performance could mark a return to peak form, making him a strong contender for the coveted red cardigan.

Viktor Hovland ($9,900)

FedEx Cup champion Viktor Hovland is gearing up for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, looking to rebound after a quiet start to the 2024 season. Opting out of the WM Phoenix Open paid off with a consistent T19 at The Genesis Invitational, showcasing improve ball-striking and gains around the green. 

Approaching his sixth start at Bay Hill with a successful track record, including a notable T2 in 2022 and a T10 last year, Hovland's proficiency in total driving and long iron play aligns well with the course demands. 

Despite a sluggish start this season, critics questioning his short game may be surprised, as his best chipping performances have been on firm Bermuda courses or those with thick rough. Now well-rested and armed with lessons learned, competing in the Seminole Member-Pro to familiarize himself with South Florida.

Xander Schauffele ($9,800)

Xander Schauffele, a standout in golf's upper echelons, aims for his first top-20 finish at Bay Hill in his third attempt, despite a mixed history at the venue. Currently co-leading the TOUR with four top-10 finishes, Schauffele's prowess lies in a potent combination of power and precision. 

Priced at $9,800 and riding a wave of impressive form, his performance in the limited-field event is poised to be compelling. Ranking first in Total Strokes Gained over the past 24 rounds and boasting four top-10s in five 2024 starts, Schauffele's consistency suggests a potential breakthrough at Bay Hill, challenging his previous lack of a signature win. 

Known for impeccable ball striking and precision on the green within 10 feet, his intensified focus on Florida courses, paired with exceptional iron play, positions him as a formidable force, potentially securing a significant title and the coveted jacket in a PGA Tour landscape currently devoid of a dominant force.

 

Mid-Price Core Plays

Will Zalatoris ($8,900)

Despite not clinching victory at The Genesis Invitational, Will Zalatoris showcased a stellar performance, dispelling doubts about his ability on the big stage. As a co-runner-up, his notable history at Riviera and a strong record at Bay Hill indicate his game is peaking. With impressive total driving, long iron play, and high ball flight, Zalatoris remains a constant threat on challenging courses like Torrey Pines, Riviera, Augusta National, and Bay Hill. 

Leading in strokes gained tee to green on firm courses with thick rough over the last three years, he excels in demanding conditions. Fresh off a remarkable runner-up finish, where he gained 6.7 strokes in ball striking, Zalatoris, attractively priced at $8,900, is a compelling choice, particularly on tougher courses, making him one to watch at Bay Hill.

Matt Fitzpatrick ($8,600)

Matthew Fitzpatrick has been killing it at Bay Hill, consistently landing in the 2nd-T9-T10-T9-T14 range on the leaderboard since 2019. This guy knows how to handle tough courses. Although he kicked off 2024 with just some decent top-25 finishes, folks are expecting big things from him now. Rory McIlroy is in a similar boat, not setting the world on fire this year, but he's a Bay Hill champ too. 

Yeah, he's been a bit off with his approach game lately, ranked 114th on Tour, which is kind of a red flag. But we'll start worrying if he bombs at Bay Hill. He first played there a decade ago and missed the cut, but even back then, you could tell he belonged. The Bermuda turf just clicks with his game. Fresh off a decent show at PGA National, where he seemed to be getting back in the groove, he's looking like a solid bet this week at a price that won't break the bank.

Corey Conners ($7,800)

Corey Conners might not be the biggest hitter on the golf course, but he's found his groove at Bay Hill, relying on pinpoint accuracy off the tee and killer long iron skills. In the last three rounds in Orlando, he's pulled off three top-25 finishes, proving that you don't need to be a bomber to make waves. 

Sure, people always talk about his putting, but surprise – he's actually a boss on fast Bermuda greens, ranking seventh in Strokes Gained/total in Florida over the past three years. It's not just about the greens, though; Conners follows a similar game plan to Matt Fitzpatrick, relying on his ball-striking mojo to stay in the running when the score is expected to be closer to par. He even snagged a solo third at Bay Hill three years ago, so the dude knows the lay of the land. 

Fresh off a solid 67 at the Cognizant Classic, he's riding a good wave into the Arnold Palmer Invitational. We're all hoping he dials it up and plays like the Conners who was a top-20 machine last season. Here's to Conners making a splash and reminding everyone why he's one to watch on the course.

 

Value-Price Core Plays

Keegan Bradley ($7,400)

While Keegan Bradley may not be in peak form recently, his prowess at Bay Hill is undeniable. A seasoned participant in this event for a solid decade, he has consistently avoided missing cuts and secured T10, T11, and T10 finishes in his last three appearances. 

Priced at just $7,400, he presents a bargain for this ball-strikers' haven, where achieving par is often a victory on most holes. In his most recent encounter with Bermuda greens this season at the Sony Open, he impressively clinched a T2. Residing full-time in Jupiter, Florida, Bradley prefers playing near home during the Florida Swing, relishing valuable moments with his family. 

Even if his putting skills face challenges, Bradley has cracked the code for the firm Bermuda greens in 2024, enhancing his ball-striking proficiency and securing top-10 rankings in Prox: 200+, Par-5 Scoring, and Driving Distance.

Harris English ($7,300)

Thinking about English's recent game and the current price brings back the vibes from last month at the Genesis, even if he only landed in seventh. Hoping for another top-10 this week, especially since he was the runner-up here last year, English's 2024 record is solid with an extra top-10 and two top-20s, making the cut in seven out of nine starts. At $7,300, he's a steal with a mix of a good history here and a hot streak. 

With 10 straight cuts and five top-20 finishes, plus his killer show at last year's Arnold Palmer Invitational, where he aced SG: Putting, English is on fire, regularly hitting top-30 in his last five rounds on par 72 courses. In a nutshell, English's got the perfect combo of past wins and current game, all at a price that won't break the bank.

Min Woo Lee ($6,600)

Min Woo Lee is a steal this week in golf. Dude's got top-20 odds like the mid-$8,000 guys, but he's chillin' at just $6,600. He was gunning for Austin Eckroat at PGA National, but ran out of juice on the back nine, still scoring a tie for 2nd. That just proves how crazy good he is. Check his last six global events – three podium finishes, and he even bagged a win. 

Forget about those missed cuts at Bay Hill the past two years; he's way better now. Lee had to hustle to make it to this event, pulling off a final-round 67 at PGA National. He's a total DFS beast, and I'd be shocked if he's not one of the most picked players this week. Go grab him!

 

Player Pool

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