2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational: Top 10 power rankings at Bay Hill

Rory McIlroy has called Florida home for several years now. The Northern Irishman resides 150 miles south in Jupiter, but Bay Hill has got to feel like a home game, too.

His win in 2018 highlights a sparkling career at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Since debuting in 2015, McIlroy’s finished top 11 five times and was T-27th in the other of six starts.

A three-shot win over Bryson DeChambeau in 2018 was the highlight. McIlroy fired 69-70-67-64 to erase a four-shot deficit to Henrik Stenson going into Sunday.

McIlroy defended his title with T-6th (69-70-66-71) in 2019 and T-5th (66-73-73-76) in 2020. McIlroy had a chance to win on Sunday last year. His 4-over 76 isn’t as bad as it looks considering almost everyone was in the 70s on a brutal day, but it was still surprising.

It speaks to some of the near-misses he’s had in recent years, particularly at majors. But I’m not here to dwell on the negatives.

It’s no secret Rory plays some of his best golf in the southeastern United States.

His 2014 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island and 2019 Players Championship are a couple wins that come to mind.

He thrives on parkland style course where it’s all about execution tee to green.

The 31 year old was shaky a couple weeks ago in a rare missed cut at the Genesis Invitational. He got going back in the right direction at the WGC at The Concession where he posted 69-70-66-71.

There was no catching Collin Morikawa, though it would have been nice to see McIlroy apply some pressure.

Coming to a place of familiarity coupled with a much weaker strength of field will improve McIlroy’s stead this week. I just don’t think it’ll quite be enough for him to win his first since *double checks notes* November 2019.