Arnold Palmer Invitational: Power ranking the top 10 at Bay Hill

The Florida Swing continues with a tournament honoring The King, the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

We move on to one of the PGA Tour’s more renowned events on the schedule: the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

A solid field is assembled this week at Bay Hill, which has hosted this event played under several names since 1979.

The course measures 7,419 yards for a par 72 and can play even longer due to a high concentration of water hazards that force some lay ups off the tee.

Good long iron players are valuable at the API due to a number of lengthy approach shots as well as three par-3s at 200+ yards.

There are plenty of ways to make a big score around here, like Jon Daly’s 18 in 1998 on the par-5 sixth. Yet, there are also birdie opportunities.

The winning score has been 11-under or lower each of the last seven years including 18-under last year by Rory McIlroy.

The rough is annually pretty juicy and fairway bunkers make some tee shots tricky, but the fairways are relatively wide. Greens are about average in size, roll a little over a 12 on the Stimpmeter and are TifEagle Bermuda grass.

The tournament is 120 players, down from the standard 156.

The early weather forecast shows there could be a little rain on the weekend, but nothing too ominous. Winds project to gust into the low double digits. So nothing too out of the ordinary this week with temperatures in the 60s-80s. As always, though, it’s in your best interest to finalize your lineup or bet slip once tee times are out and the forecast solidifies.

The API’s spot on the schedule this year is a week before the PLAYERS Championship so some guys have chosen rest, but there is still a who’s who of talent in central Florida this week.

Here are 10 to watch at Bay Hill.

*Note: Tiger Woods was an original commit but withdrew on Monday afternoon citing a neck strain.