This week we head up I-95 to the House that Arnie Built, Bay Hill, for the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Now the second leg in the Florida Swing, it once again boasts one of the strongest non-major fields in golf. Before we get into who we like this week, let’s take a look at one of the greatest driver off the deck moments provided by the man himself, Arnold Palmer in 2004:
We’ve decided to rotate picks weekly. Dan is starting us off and TSS is second followed by Two Inches. We won’t be picking the same guys either, which could become a problem quickly.
Here is who we are going with this week.
After riding high two weeks ago from nailing that DJ pick I was quickly brought hard back down to earth last week with my JT pick. Looking for a bounce back this week which is why I’m going with Henrik Stenson.
Now, you might be thinking to yourself, “why on earth are you taking Stenson, the guy hasn’t done anything yet this year?”
Well, while you might be right, let me explain my reasoning.
The Big Swede has had a rough go so far in 2019 for sure. So far his best finish is a T54 two weeks ago in Mexico. However, his track record at Bay Hill is absolutely fantastic. Throw out his missed cut in 2017 and he hasn’t finished outside the top 10 at Arnie’s place since 2012. Since that T15 finish all the way back in 2012 his results at Bay Hill are:
T8
T5
2
T3
MC
4
You want to talk horses for courses, well Stenson seems to love him some Bay Hill. That’s why I think this is the perfect week to change around his entire season and get the win.
Good luck to Dan, who will not catch me with two correct picks even though he’s halfway there.
I wasn’t even close last week … thank you Adam Scott.
So this week, I’m going to do something a little different, I’m going to give you 3 picks … HA! Of course, one of those will be my actual pick, and the other two will be two guys who I think could also win.
So, this week, I’m going with …. drum roll …. RORY MCILROY!
Yup, that’s right, I’m picking the same guy I picked to win the WGC-Mexico Championship who finished second behind that Dustin Johnson guy.
McIlroy’s last four finishes in his last four starts?
T4
T5
T4
2
So yeah, there’s really not much left for him to do, plus, he’s the defending champ this week.
Now, the other two guys to keep your eye on are: Bryson DeChambeau and Rickie Fowler.
With Tiger on the shelf this week nursing an injury, let’s all take a moment and pray he will be fine in time for Augusta….
Thank you.
No Tiger. No problem. Justin Rose is the next logical choice to win this week at Bay Hill and not just because of that sporty MasterCard logo on his collar, which is also the title sponsor of the event.
The current world no. 2 is in fine form winning two of his last five worldwide events including the Farmers Open at Torrey back in January. We’ll blame his only MC in Saudi Arabia on Sergio destroying the greens. Grow up, man.
Anyways, Rose leads the Tour in adjusted scoring and birdie average. Plus he ranks second in overall strokes gained.
Not to mention he’s got SEVEN top 15s at Arnie’s place including a third last year.
Players to watch:
Old man alert: Vijay Singh
Horse for course: Matt Every (the man has two PGA Tour wins in his career. Both of them were here in consecutive years)
Grandson alert: Sam Saunders (did you know he’s Arnold Palmer’s grandson?)