2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational: Top 10 power rankings at Bay Hill

Patrick Cantlay hung in tough on his first appearance at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2023.

The Californian doesn’t tend to play his best golf, or much golf, on the opposite coast. He looked at home at Bay Hill, carding rounds of 68-71-74-68 to finish T-4th and just two shots back.

Cantlay wasn’t necessarily in the title mix throughout, but three birdies and an eagle on the back nine on Sunday made him a boatload of money.

“I think it's extremely important to drive the ball in the fairway,” Cantlay was transcribed by ASAP Sports in 2023. “If you get out of position you really have to be careful. Sometimes just not make a big number. The golf course is very hard if you get out of position, but manageable if you're playing from the right spots.”

Cantlay was effective in finding the short grass here last year. The former UCLA Bruin finished T-9th in the field in driving accuracy (64.29%) and third in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee (5.671).

In 2022-23, Cantlay was fourth on the PGA Tour in SG: Off-the-Tee (.852) and 26th in driving accuracy (65.51%). He’s a great ball striker all around, finishing third in SG: Tee-to-Green (1.564).

As long as he can find his stride rolling the rock on Bermuda greens, I like Cantlay to replicate last year’s API performance, if not improve upon it.

There are a few more players more seasoned around Bay Hill I’ve got above Cantlay, but it’d hardly be a shock to see him emerge this week.