PGA Tour Power Rankings: Arnold Palmer Invitational

Francesco Molinari — 23rd

Molinari has been in solid form all year long, and then some. He’s found the top 20 in eight of his last nine worldwide starts, beginning with a victory at the Italian Open back in September.

While he’s cooled off a bit in recent weeks — he’s been shut out of the top 10 since the calendar turned to 2017 — his standout record at the Arnold Palmer Invitational makes him a clear choice to contend. He’s found the top 20 in each of the last three years, tying for fifth in 2014 and for ninth last year. The Turin native certainly has the skills to back up that record — he’s currently fourth on the PGA Tour in strokes gained: approach-the-green and third in driving accuracy.

Molinari may not be a household name on this side of the pond, but a win at Bay Hill would go a long way towards raising his profile. He looks ready to at least make a run at the title.