Arnold Palmer Invitational: Power ranking the top 10 at Bay Hill
Rory McIlroy didn’t come to the Arnold Palmer Invitational until 2015, but it now appears to be a staple on his schedule.
The Northern Irishman is not only 4-for-4 in cuts made but has finished top-30 each time: T11-T27-T4-1. McIlroy rode a crazy hot putting week and a Sunday 64 to a three-stroke victory in 2018. He averaged 2.5 strokes gained per round on the greens and let lose to average 316.5 yards off the tee.
“The last time I won a PGA TOUR event was the day that Mr. Palmer passed away, so it’s a little bit ironic that I come here and win,” McIlroy said after his win. “But he set a great example to all us players to try and follow in his foot steps and if everyone on TOUR could handle themselves the way Arnie did, the game of golf would be in a better place.”
Along with being the defending champ, McIlroy comes in on a hot streak.
He’s inching toward his first win since the 2018 API after opening this year with four consecutive top-fives.
At the Tournament of Champions, Farmers Insurance Open, Genesis Open and WGC-Mexico — all featuring top notch fields — McIlroy has finished T4-T5-T4-2. Twelve of those 16 rounds are in the 60s.
He leads the Tour in 2018-19 in strokes gained tee to green and overall SG. His main weakness has been driving accuracy (171st), but his strength out of the rough (11th in proximity) and distance makes up for his waywardness.
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With a week off in preparation for the opening of a huge stretch in golf, I envision McIlroy building up some Augusta buzz with a win in the coming weeks.