With many of golf’s biggest names opting to put their feet up last week instead of compete, Chris Kirk found himself lifting the Honda Classic trophy. This week, however, the PGA Tour will head to Bay Hill, Orlando, for four days of golf in Florida that will feature a stacked field of world class players well rested from a week off.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational is one of only four tournaments on the PGA Tour given invitational status. This allows the event more flexibility and a smaller field, resulting in a very competitive lineup over the next few days. Jon Rahm, the hottest thing in golf right now, will be back in action alongside defending champion Scottie Scheffler and the man who he just dethroned from the No. 1 spot in the rankings, Rory McIlroy.
We break down all the best bets to make on the Arnold Palmer Invitational with odds from bookmaker William Hill.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 2nd, 2:00 A.M. (GMT)
Unsurprisingly, World No. 1 Jon Rahm leads the odds ahead of the first drive this Thursday with odds of 7.00. Rahm has won five of the last nine events he’s participated in, rocketing him to the pinnacle of the sport at breakneck speed. Behind Rahm, is the man who was World No. 1 before Rahm’s hot streak—Rory McIlroy, who is paying 9.50 for the win. Breathing down McIlroy’s neck as the third favourite is the defending champion, Scottie Scheffler, with the World No. 3 on odds of 10.00.
The odds drop somewhat for the rest of the pack with the world’s top three highly favoured. Should they stumble, however, Colin Morikawa and Will Zalatoris are all there ready to pounce in a tie for fourth favourite in William Hill’s odds at 19.00.
We suggest backing Scottie Scheffler this week. The American is in fine form in 2023, having won the WM Phoenix Open less than a month ago that prevented Jon Rahm from winning three events in a row. In fact, all year he’s been highly consistent with his other three results being T7, T11, and T12. Given that the 26-year-old won this event last year, it’s clear that Scheffler will be comfortable on this course and knows what it takes to win in Bay Hill.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 2nd, 2:00 A.M. (GMT)
A bet on Scheffler to win is the most lucrative wager with a return of 10.00 if the World No. 2 wins the Arnold Palmer Invitational. However, those who want to take a more conservative angle may consider hedging their bets and taking a punt on Scheffler to at least finish in the Top 5. This has a lower return with odds of 3.10 but offers a much higher probability of winning.
