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

By Mike Randleman

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 18: A general view of the seventh hole during the final round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented By MasterCard at Bay Hill Club and Lodge on March 18, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 18: A general view of the seventh hole during the final round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented By MasterCard at Bay Hill Club and Lodge on March 18, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 19: Marc Leishman of Australia celebrates with the winner’s trophy on the 18th green after the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented By MasterCard at Bay Hill Club and Lodge on March 19, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 19: Marc Leishman of Australia celebrates with the winner’s trophy on the 18th green after the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented By MasterCard at Bay Hill Club and Lodge on March 19, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Big Leish is a former Arnold Palmer Invitational champ and an owner of three top-10s at this event in eight starts.

The Aussie reached 11-under (71-66-71-69) and won by one over Charley Hoffman and Kevin Kisner in 2017. He came back to erase Kisner’s lead in tough conditions thanks to his putter (over 2 strokes gained per round) to post the highest winning aggregate score since 8-under got it done in 2011.

Leishman made a solid title defense last year in finishing T7 (70-70-73-67). His ball striking stats were similar to 2017 but his putting gains were minimal.

The 35-year-old last won in the fall at the CIMB Classic and is trending toward his fifth career title. Leishman has three top-fives including a recent T4 at the Genesis Open. He’s also 3-for-3 in cuts made.

He was off his game a couple weeks ago at the WGC-Mexico where he had his worst finish (T62) since August. The tree-lined Club de Chapultepec didn’t suit Leishman’s game (128th in driving accuracy), but Bay Hill offers a little more room to breathe as long as you avoid the hazards.

Leshman ranks 12th on Tour in SG approaching the green. Even if he finds the thick stuff at Bay Hill, he’s 11th in proximity from the rough. He’s also third from 175-200 yards and 30th from 200+.

Making hay on the par-5s is key to winning most weeks, and especially at this event. Leishman is 12th in par-5 scoring and 11th in par breakers overall.

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