2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational: Top 10 Power Rankings at Bay Hill
Scottie Scheffler’s got a lot of titles to defend in 2023.
He successfully defended his WM Phoenix Open title a few weeks ago. This week, he’s looking to make it two in a row at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
This spring, he’ll be the reigning champ at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and a little tournament called the Masters.
This will be Scheffler’s third appearance at Bay Hill. He took T-15th (67-74-75-75) in 2020.
Last year, he trailed by two going into the final round. Tournament conditions were difficult all week. An even-par 72 on Sunday was all Scheffler needed to claim the title by a shot.
He opened the tournament in 70-73-68.
Scheffler’s poised, even-keeled demeanor helps him play well on tough tests like Bay Hill.
"“When you get on such difficult golf courses like this, you just have to kind of keep your head down and know that mistakes are going to come,” Scheffler was transcribed in 2022 by ASAP Sports, “you’re going to get bad breaks, you’re going to hit really good shots that turn out really bad. And it’s just stuff that can happen out here just because the golf course is so difficult.”"
Scheffler comes to Florida in great form. Not only did he win this year at TPC Scottsdale, but he’s on a streak of seven straight top-12 finishes dating back to November.
Doing so at designated events like the Sentry Tournament of Champions (T-7th), Phoenix (1st) and Genesis Invitational (T-12th) make his recent stretch all the more impressive.
He leads the PGA Tour in bogey avoidance, making them on just 8.33% of holes. Scheffler is also second in strokes gained per round off the tee (.901) and fourth in SG tee to green (1.839).