2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational: Expert Picks and Predictions for Bay Hill
The PGA returns to ‘Arnie’s Place’ this week for the third elevated event in the last four weeks. On the eve of the 2023 PLAYERS Championship, an absolutely stacked field has made the trip to Bay Hill for the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational.
World number one, Jon Rahm, and 23 of the top 25 players in the world will take on the challenge that is Bay Hill this week.
2022 Arnold Palmer Invitational winner, Scottie Scheffler, will look to build upon his own legacy at ‘The King’s’ place this week; an event that one, Tiger Woods, has won an eye-opening eight times during his career.
Bay Hill is sure to show its teeth once again this year with this week’s field surely in for another real challenge. It is all set up to be an enthralling week of action, so without further ado, here is our PGA expert picks to win the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Expert Picks and Predictions for the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational
Rory McIlroy
The 2018 Arnold Palmer Invitational champion is a popular pick amongst our experts this week with the four-time major champion looking to add his name to the list of elevated event winners in 2023.
Derek Helm: “Rory Mcllroy has made the cut all eight times at the Arnold Palmer since 2015. He’s never finished worse than 27th and came 1st in 2018. His comfort at Bay Hill matched with his recent form point to another win.”
Kathlene Bissell: “Rory to win. He’s overdue.”
Alana Bannan: “The only of the top three golfers to have not scored a win at this year’s Designated Events, McIlroy will be feeling the pressure this weekend. His excellent history at Bay Hill can give him a confidence boost as he’s recorded seven finishes of T13 or better from eight visits at Arnie’s Place.”
West Valentine: “I won last week picking Rahm and it’s hard to go against him after he just claimed the No. 1 spot in the OWGR. But I’m picking Rory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. It’s an elevated event and I think that brings out the best in him. I also like Justin Thomas to get on track and have a good tournament.”
Scottie Scheffler
Mike Randleman: “He’s been in great form recently and will defend his title just like he did recently in Phoenix.”
Patrick Cantlay
Brendan Carberry: “Cantlay quietly had a great week at an always tough Riviera finishing solo third. It seems like the former FedEx Cup champion is due for a win. He has also been doing exceptionally well this year on his longer approach shots, which will help with Bay Hill’s length.”
Jon Rahm
Can anyone stop the world number one this week? A couple of our experts believe Rahm’s incredible winning run is set to continue this week.
Dan Shedd: “My pick to win the API Is Jon Rahm, who has been on fire lately and I don’t see him slowing down anytime soon. He is playing his best golf right now and it’s so fun to watch!”
Bill Felber: “A wise man once said, “The race is not always to the swift nor the contest to the strong…but that’s the way to bet.” Give me Jon Rahm.
Next. 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational Power Rankings. dark
Viktor Hovland
Josh Chandler: “After not contending at the last elevated event, the Genesis Invitational, it would be easy to side with someone else this time around, I’m not going to do that though. Hovland has strung together eight top 25 finishes in his last nine starts, he was also 2nd at the API last year and 9th at the PLAYERS; showing that he can contend in Florida. I’ll stick with Viktor to get over the line at Bay Hill this time.”