The PGA Tour hits its next Florida stop this week for the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Florida.
With the Masters and Tiger Woods’ return to golf just 16 days away, the likes of Steve Stricker and Phil Mickelson – Woods’ closest pursuers in the world rankings - will be looking to fire a warning shot to the current No.1 that he won’t have it all his own way when he returns. Recent winners Ernie Els and Jim Furyk are also in the field, but not so Vijay Singh, who has withdrawn for the second week running with back trouble.
The course has been tweaked since last year with new putting surfaces installed and bunkers realigned to bring them more into play. But the biggest change has been to the yardage. After three consecutive years of playing to around 7,100 yards and a par of 70, it has been stretched to just under 7,400 yards and par is now 72, as it was from 1990-2006.
There is some rain forecast on Friday into Saturday but winds are expected to be light with temperatures in the 80’s every day. All four rounds are live on Sky starting at 7pm (UK time) Thursday.
Ross’ Three Off The Tee:-
Nick Watney @ 25/1 Ladbrokes
With the course now a par-72, we can expect a few more birdies this week and Watney is full of them right now - 112 this season, which is ranked tied-9th. e made 19 of those at Copperhead last week on his way to fourth-place finish, and filled the same spot here last year when he was - you guessed it - tied-1st for birdies. He’s been a little slow to come to hand this season but coming off a season-best effort, he really ought to contend this week on a course he can attack and the 25/1 is a tad generous (18’s in a place).
Justin Rose @ 40/1 bet365
Rose has also been making plenty of birdies recently – 112 this season – which has contributed to a superb Florida Swing, with a solo third at the Honda Classic and tied-13th last week his best efforts. What makes him really interesting this week, though, is the fact he finished tied-8th here in 2006, the last time the course was a par-72. He's still a maiden on the PGA Tour after 156 starts, but this could be the week he finally breaks through.
Rickie Fowler @ 70/1 Skybet
Oh Ricky! Why did you lay up on that par-5 when trading odds-on for the Phoenix Open? I'm sure he's taken plenty of stick since for that lame decision and his MC the following week at the Honda was quite understandable. He fared little better last week at Copperhead (tied-46th) but has drifted in the betting as a result and his quote from earlier in the season hints at better to come this week: "It's one of my favourite spots (Bay Hill). I won a junior tournament there I think back in '06, so I have good memories there, and hopefully will get to slap it around there this year." Slap some on at the 70s, I say!
Bubbling Under: George McNeil (110/1 bet365)
Finished tied-5th at the Northern Trust Open followed by a missed cut, then finished tied-12th at the Honda, followed by another MC. Spot the pattern? He's unlikely to win but this Florida-based player could play well enough to reward some intrepid spread bettors.
Punters Beware: Phil Mickelson
Has been made favourite again this week but he's still looking for his A game (his driving in particular was shocking last time) and I won’t be risking any money on him just yet. Last won here in '97.
Recommended bets:
Nick Watney 1.5pt each-way @ 25/1 Ladbrokes
Justin Rose 1pt each-way @ 40/1 bet365
Rickie Fowler 1pt each-way @ 70/1 Skybet