Not everyone celebrates anniversaries, and not all anniversaries are worth celebrating, but the first anniversary always serves as an exercise in perspective. The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard was the last tournament completed before the pandemic that forced a three-month shutdown in 2020. Given everything that has happened and what we know now, that the hiatus lasted only three months is a remarkable achievement. The collaboration with local communities has been paramount in sustaining a safe and competitive environment. Yet, a break from how Bay Hill Club and Lodge tested last year presented an opportunity for a different kind of recovery. Scroll past the projected contenders for details of how extreme it played and why, what the limited field can expect this week and more. RELATED: The First Look | Inside the Field POWER RANKINGS: ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL The Fantasy Insider will be delayed until Wednesday. Notables reviewed will include Jordan Spieth, Max Homa, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Hideki Matsuyama. Despite the circumstances that triggered the shutdown of 2020, those who attempted to tame Bay Hill needed a minute to lick their wounds. The stock par 72 averaged 74.106 for the week, and that included splits of 75.913 and 75.058 in the third and final rounds, respectively. It was the highest scoring average in relation to par on a par 72 in a non-major in the last four completed seasons. It also was the highest that Bay Hill averaged since it scored 75.150 as a par 71 in 1983, the first year that data was recorded in earnest. Arnold Palmer’s primary objective was to have fun, but that was the furthest thing from it. Persistent gusty winds north of 20 mph throughout pummeled the field. It averaged just 9.1 greens in regulation per round, lowest of any non-major in 15 years. That seems like a misprint given that greens average a roomy 7,500 square feet, but they also run up to 13-and-a-half feet on the Stimpmeter with penalizing undulations, so precision on approach is at a premium. With nowhere to hide to swallow the pride, it’s no wonder that Tyrrell Hatton’s 4-under 284 was the highest winning aggregate in tournament history. He ranked outside the top 30 in both distance of all drives and fairways hit, but that’s fine when the wind is a factor. The Englishman managed the rest of his game exquisitely, slotting T9 in GIR (10.5 per round), 10th in proximity, 15th in Strokes Gained: Putting and second in bogey avoidance. He also co-led the field in par-3 scoring and played the par 5s in 4.63 to rank T17. With that recap scaring everyone straight, a pivot to this week’s forecast is relevant. After a relatively benign first two days with high temperatures in the mid-70s, things will turn for the worse after the 36-hole cut falls. There’s a very good chance of rain on Saturday. With the threat, winds will freshen considerably and stick around for Sunday’s finale when the sun returns. It might not reach 70 degrees on the weekend. The only notable modification since Hatton’s victory was made on the tee at the par-4 13th hole. It’s been expanded to allow for another 12 yards and can now extend to 382 yards. The entirety of that increase equals the overall bump in Bay Hill’s overall length to 7,466, longest in tournament history. Wayward drives may find rough at three-and-a-half inches and longer. That helps explain why disrespecting the value of course management off the tee can lead to a bad day. As usual, the TifEagle bermuda greens have not been overseeded for the competition. The perks for winning mirror what Max Homa earned as the champion of The Genesis Invitational: 550 FedExCup points and three-year PGA TOUR membership exemption (or additional season if already exempt through 2023-24 or 2024-25). He also receives a three-year exemption into THE PLAYERS Championship. The field stands at 123 as of Monday afternoon. Former winners Robert Gamez (1990), Paul Goydos (1996) and Tim Herron (1999) are add-ons as champions pre-2000. If any withdraws before his opening round, he will not be replaced. ROB BOLTON’S SCHEDULE PGATOUR.COM’s Fantasy Insider Rob Bolton recaps and previews every tournament from numerous angles. Look for his following contributions as scheduled. MONDAY: Power Rankings TUESDAY*: Sleepers WEDNESDAY: Fantasy Insider SUNDAY: Qualifiers, Reshuffle, Medical Extensions, Rookie Watch * – Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf, which also publishes on Tuesday.
Power Rankings: Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard
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Final Round 2 Balls – Ghim / Kim v Reavie / Snedeker | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Doug Ghim / Chan Kim | -200 |
Chez Reavie / Brandt Snedeker | +165 |
Final Round 2 Balls – Stevens / Barjon v Wu / Nicholas | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Sam Stevens / Paul Barjon | -125 |
Brandon Wu / James Nicholas | +105 |
Final Round 2 Balls – Norrman / Campillo v Lashley / Campos | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Nate Lashley / Rafael Campos | -110 |
Vincent Norrman / Jorge Campillo | -110 |
Mitsubishi Electric Classic | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
Paul Broadhurst | +250 |
Steven Alker | +350 |
Stephen Ames | +400 |
K J Choi | +1000 |
John Senden | +1600 |
Doug Barron | +1800 |
Shane Bertsch | +1800 |
Kevin Sutherland | +2000 |
Lee Janzen | +2000 |
Y E Yang | +2200 |
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Final Round Six Shooter – Cantlay-Schauffele / McIlroy-Lowry / Morikawa-Kitayama / Taylor-Hadwin / Conners-Pendrith / Fitzpatrick/Fitzpatrick | |
Type: Final Round Six Shooter – Status: OPEN | |
Patrick Cantlay / Xander Schauffele | +250 |
Rory McIlroy / Shane Lowry | +325 |
Collin Morikawa / Kurt Kitayama | +425 |
Nick Taylor / Adam Hadwin | +550 |
Corey Conners / Taylor Pendrith | +600 |
Matt Fitzpatrick / Alex Fitzpatrick | +600 |
Final Round Match-Up – Cantlay / Schauffele v McIlroy / Lowry | |
Type: Final Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Patrick Cantlay / Xander Schauffele | -125 |
Rory McIlroy / Shane Lowry | +105 |
Final Round 2 Balls – Cantlay / Schauffele v Hardy / Riley | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Patrick Cantlay / Xander Schauffele | -260 |
Nick Hardy / Davis Riley | +210 |
Final Round 2 Balls – Higgo / Fox v Sigg / Hadley | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Garrick Higgo / Ryan Fox | -120 |
Greyson Sigg / Chesson Hadley | +100 |
Final Round Match-Up – McIlroy / Lowry v Garnett / Straka | |
Type: Requests – Status: OPEN | |
Rory McIlroy / Shane Lowry | -210 |
Brice Garnett / Sepp Straka | +175 |
Final Round Match-Up – Garnett / Straka v Thompson / Novak | |
Type: Final Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Brice Garnett / Sepp Straka | -120 |
Davis Thompson / Andrew Novak | +100 |
Final Round Match-Up – Ramey / Trainer v Kraft / Tway | |
Type: Final Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Chad Ramey / Martin Trainer | -115 |
Kelly Kraft / Kevin Tway | -105 |
Final Round 2 Balls – Garnett / Straka v Ramey / Trainer | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Brice Garnett / Sepp Straka | -175 |
Chad Ramey / Martin Trainer | +145 |
Final Round Match-Up – Morikawa / Kitayama v Conners / Pendrith | |
Type: Requests – Status: OPEN | |
Collin Morikawa / Kurt Kitayama | -140 |
Corey Conners / Taylor Pendrith | +115 |
Final Round Match-Up – Morikawa / Kitayama v Fitzpatrick / Fitzpatrick | |
Type: Final Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Collin Morikawa / Kurt Kitayama | -150 |
Matt Fitzpatrick / Alex Fitzpatrick | +125 |
Final Round 2 Balls – Morikawa / Kitayama v Kraft / Tway | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Collin Morikawa / Kurt Kitayama | -250 |
Kelly Kraft / Kevin Tway | +200 |
Final Round Six Shooter – Mitchell-Dahmen / Detry-MacIntyre / Lee-Kim / Yu-Pan / Rai-Lipsky / List-Norlander | |
Type: Final Round Six Shooter – Status: OPEN | |
Keith Mitchell / Joel Dahmen | +375 |
K.H. Lee / Michael Kim | +400 |
Thomas Detry / Robert MacIntyre | +400 |
Aaron Rai / David Lipsky | +450 |
Kevin Yu / C.T. Pan | +450 |
Luke List / Henrik Norlander | +475 |
Final Round Match-Up – Phillips / Bridgeman v Rai / Lipsky | |
Type: Final Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Chandler Phillips / Jacob Bridgeman | -120 |
Aaron Rai / David Lipsky | +100 |
Final Round 2 Balls – Thompson / Novak v Rai / Lipsky | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Davis Thompson / Andrew Novak | -120 |
Aaron Rai / David Lipsky | +100 |
Final Round Match-Up – Kohles / Kizzire v Taylor / O’Hair | |
Type: Final Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Ben Kohles / Patton Kizzire | -125 |
Ben Taylor / Sean O’Hair | +105 |
Final Round 2 Balls – Fitzpatrick / Fitzpatrick v Taylor / O’Hair | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Matt Fitzpatrick / Alex Fitzpatrick | -230 |
Ben Taylor / Sean O’Hair | +190 |
Final Round 3-Balls – M. Tiziani / T. Bjorn / R. Goosen | |
Type: Final Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Thomas Bjorn | +130 |
Retief Goosen | +135 |
Mario Tiziani | +320 |
Final Round Match-Up – Eckroat / Gotterup v Wallace / Olesen | |
Type: Final Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Austin Eckroat / Chris Gotterup | -130 |
Matt Wallace / Thorbjorn Olesen | +110 |
Final Round 2 Balls – Wallace / Olesen v Wu / Lower | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Dylan Wu / Justin Lower | -110 |
Matt Wallace / Thorbjorn Olesen | -110 |
Final Round 3-Balls – G. Sauers / D. Toms / R. Green | |
Type: Final Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
David Toms | -120 |
Richard Green | +175 |
Gene Sauers | +425 |
Final Round 2 Balls – Eckroat / Gotterup v Phillips / Bridgeman | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Austin Eckroat / Chris Gotterup | -125 |
Chandler Phillips / Jacob Bridgeman | +105 |
Final Round 3-Balls – S. Allan / K. Sutherland / M.A. Jimenez | |
Type: Final Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Miguel Angel Jimenez | +110 |
Kevin Sutherland | +190 |
Steve Allan | +260 |
Final Round Match-Up – Conners / Pendrith v Blair / Fishburn | |
Type: Requests – Status: OPEN | |
Corey Conners / Taylor Pendrith | -185 |
Zac Blair / Patrick Fishburn | +150 |
Final Round Match-Up – Mitchell / Dahmen v Detry / MacIntyre | |
Type: Final Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Keith Mitchell / Joel Dahmen | -110 |
Thomas Detry / Robert MacIntyre | -110 |
Final Round Match-Up – Conners / Pendrith v Taylor / Hadwin | |
Type: Final Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Corey Conners / Taylor Pendrith | -110 |
Nick Taylor / Adam Hadwin | -110 |
Final Round 2 Balls – Conners / Pendrith v Mitchell / Dahmen | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Corey Conners / Taylor Pendrith | -125 |
Keith Mitchell / Joel Dahmen | +105 |
Final Round 3-Balls – D. Barron / S. Bertsch / Y.E. Yang | |
Type: Final Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Ye Yang | +100 |
Doug Barron | +175 |
Shane Bertsch | +330 |
Final Round Match-Up – Meissner / Smotherman v Hall / Piercy | |
Type: Final Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Mac Meissner / Austin Smotherman | -140 |
Harry Hall / Scott Piercy | +115 |
Final Round 2 Balls – Kohles / Kizzire v Hall / Piercy | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Ben Kohles / Patton Kizzire | -125 |
Harry Hall / Scott Piercy | +105 |
Final Round 3-Balls – K.J. Choi / L. Janzen / J. Senden | |
Type: Final Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
K.J. Choi | -140 |
Lee Janzen | +210 |
John Senden | +425 |
Final Round 2 Balls – Meissner / Smotherman v Hoffman / Watney | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Mac Meissner / Austin Smotherman | -145 |
Charley Hoffman / Nick Watney | +120 |
Final Round 3-Balls – P. Broadhurst / S. Ames / S. Alker | |
Type: Final Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Steven Alker | +105 |
Stephen Ames | +180 |
Paul Broadhurst | +300 |
Final Round Match-Up – Tarren / Skinns v Malnati / Knox | |
Type: Final Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Callum Tarren / David Skinns | -120 |
Peter Malnati / Russell Knox | +100 |
Final Round 2 Balls – Johnson / Palmer v Malnati / Knox | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Zach Johnson / Ryan Palmer | -120 |
Peter Malnati / Russell Knox | +100 |
Final Round 2 Balls – Detry / MacIntyre v Tarren / Skinns | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Thomas Detry / Robert MacIntyre | -145 |
Callum Tarren / David Skinns | +120 |
Final Round Match-Up – Yu / Pan v Echavarria / Greyserman | |
Type: Final Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Kevin Yu / C.T. Pan | -120 |
Nico Echavarria / Max Greyserman | +100 |
Final Round 2 Balls – Taylor / Hadwin v Echavarria / Greyserman | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Nick Taylor / Adam Hadwin | -165 |
Nico Echavarria / Max Greyserman | +135 |
Final Round Match-Up – Lee / Kim v List / Norlander | |
Type: Final Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
K.H. Lee / Michael Kim | -120 |
Luke List / Henrik Norlander | +100 |
Final Round 2 Balls – Lee / Kim v Yu / Pan | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
K.H. Lee / Michael Kim | -120 |
Kevin Yu / C.T. Pan | +100 |
Final Round Match-Up – Brehm / Hubbard v Blair / Fishburn | |
Type: Final Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Ryan Brehm / Mark Hubbard | -140 |
Zac Blair / Patrick Fishburn | +115 |
Final Round 2 Balls – McIlroy / Lowry v Brehm / Hubbard | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Rory McIlroy / Shane Lowry | -270 |
Ryan Brehm / Mark Hubbard | +220 |
Final Round 2 Balls – List / Norlander v Blair / Fishburn | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Luke List / Henrik Norlander | -150 |
Zac Blair / Patrick Fishburn | +125 |
JM Eagle LA Championship | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
Hannah Green | +275 |
Grace Kim | +550 |
Maja Stark | +550 |
Jin Hee Im | +700 |
Nasa Hataoka | +700 |
Esther Henseleit | +750 |
Haeran Ryu | +1600 |
Jennifer Kupcho | +2500 |
Ayaka Furue | +3500 |
Ally Ewing | +5000 |
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Final Round 2 Balls – E. Pedersen v N. Guseva | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Emily Pedersen | -140 |
Nataliya Guseva | +155 |
Tie | +750 |
Final Round 2 Balls – A. Ewing v K. Davidson | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Ally Ewing | -150 |
Karis Davidson | +165 |
Tie | +750 |
Final Round 2 Balls – A. Furue v H. Ryu | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Ayaka Furue | -125 |
Haeran Ryu | +135 |
Tie | +750 |
Final Round 2 Balls – J. Kupcho v W.L Hsu | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Jennifer Kupcho | +105 |
Wei Ling Hsu | +105 |
Tie | +750 |
Final Round 2 Balls – N. Hataoka v M. Stark | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Nasa Hataoka | -125 |
Maja Stark | +135 |
Tie | +750 |
Final Round 2 Balls – J. Im v E. Henseleit | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Jin Hee Im | -105 |
Esther Henseleit | +115 |
Tie | +750 |
Final Round 2 Balls – H. Green v G. Kim | |
Type: Final Round 2 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Hannah Green | -135 |
Grace Kim | +150 |
Tie | +750 |
Scottie Scheffler Specials | |
Type: Scottie Scheffler Specials – Status: OPEN | |
Win Any Remaining Signature Event | -200 |
PGA Championship (Top 10 Finish) & US Open (Top 10 Finish) | +115 |
PGA Championship (Top 10 Finish) & The Open (Top 10 Finish) | +125 |
US Open (Top 10 Finish) & The Open (Top 10 Finish) | +135 |
All Remaining Signature Events – Top 10 Finish | +200 |
PGA Championship (Top 5 Finish) & The Open (Top 5 Finish) | +200 |
US Open (Top 5 Finish) & The Open (Top 5 Finish) | +210 |
PGA Championship (Top 10 Finish) & US Open (Top 10 Finish) & The Open (Top 10 Finish) | +240 |
PGA Championship (Top 5 Finish) & US Open (Top 5 Finish) | +280 |
Win 2 Remaining Signature Events | +450 |
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PGA Championship 2024 | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
Scottie Scheffler | +350 |
Jon Rahm | +1200 |
Rory McIlroy | +1200 |
Ludvig Aberg | +1600 |
Brooks Koepka | +2000 |
Xander Schauffele | +2000 |
Bryson DeChambeau | +2500 |
Collin Morikawa | +2500 |
Max Homa | +2500 |
Patrick Cantlay | +2500 |
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Requests | |
Type: Requests – Status: OPEN | |
Miles Russell – Win a Major before 30th birthday | +10000 |
Scottie Scheffler & Nelly Korda – Win All Remaining 2024 Majors | +250000 |
US Open 2024 | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
Scottie Scheffler | +350 |
Jon Rahm | +1200 |
Rory McIlroy | +1200 |
Ludvig Aberg | +1600 |
Collin Morikawa | +2000 |
Viktor Hovland | +2000 |
Brooks Koepka | +2500 |
Cameron Smith | +2500 |
Patrick Cantlay | +2500 |
Xander Schauffele | +2500 |
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The Open Championship 2024 | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
Scottie Scheffler | +500 |
Jon Rahm | +1000 |
Rory McIlroy | +1000 |
Viktor Hovland | +1100 |
Brooks Koepka | +2000 |
Cameron Smith | +2000 |
Cameron Young | +2000 |
Collin Morikawa | +2000 |
Ludvig Aberg | +2000 |
Jordan Spieth | +2500 |
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Requests | |
Type: Requests – Status: OPEN | |
The Open Championship – Alex Noren – Top 20 Finish | +200 |
Solheim Cup 2024 | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
USA | -140 |
Europe | +135 |
Tie | +1200 |
Ryder Cup 2025 | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
USA | -135 |
Europe | +135 |
Tie | +1000 |