Rafael Guillén
The 2023 edition of The Arnold Palmer Invitational, one of the most prestigious tournaments on the PGA Tour, will showcase the world’s top-ranked golfers competing for one of the biggest prizes on the calendar at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge course in Florida.
This tournament was named after the legendary golfer in 2007, and the winner receives a red sweater as a tribute to him. The tournament is not open to everyone, as it is non-qualifying and by invitation only.
Only winners of the tournament from the year 2000 to present, as well as winners of a major or The Players championship in the last 5 years, are entitled to compete. Additionally, the top 50 golfers in the world ranking receive an invitation, as well as the U.S. amateur champion.
With such high standards, the field is limited to only 120 golfers, all of whom are of an exceptional level. The course itself is challenging, with a rating of 75.2, and is intended for experienced golfers only. The Florida humidity also presents an obstacle, making the greens slippery and causing the ball to skid, making putting a difficult task.
Winning The Arnold Palmer Invitational, with the majors looming on the horizon, is a fantastic confidence booster and a way to establish one’s authority over the PGA Tour by defeating such talented competitors. We, at JefeBet, present you with the favorites and their odds for this undoubtedly spectacular tournament.
Predictions, Odds and Betting Preview for the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2023 on the PGA Tour running from March 1- 5
- Where: Bay Hill Club and Lodge – Bay Hill, Florida
- When: Wednesday, March 1 – Sunday, March 5.
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Favorites
Rory McIlroy (+850 at DraftKings)
McIlroy’s triumph in Dubai was impressive, but his return to the PGA Tour has been underwhelming, as he was expected to perform better. Although he won the CJ Cup in Carolina this year with a score of -17, he failed to showcase his abilities in the Phoenix Open and the Genesis Invitational.
However, he has won this tournament before in 2018 and is familiar with the course. Although he finished 13th last year and did not make it to the top 10, he knows Bay Hill well and has the potential to perform exceptionally this year. This tournament could be the perfect opportunity for Rory to elevate his game and take the next step in his pursuit of the Masters, the only major title he has yet to win.
Jon Rahm (+650 on DraftKings)
It goes without saying that the Spanish golfer is performing at an extraordinary level. He is having one of the best years of his career, having secured three wins in just 49 days – a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since 1975, when Johnny Miller won the Phoenix Open, the Tucson Open, and the Bob Hope Desert Classic.
Currently ranked number one in the world by a significant margin, he has shot a minimum of 68 in each round of two tournaments. In the Genesis Open, his third round was particularly remarkable, as he shot a 65 – one of the cleanest and most spectacular rounds of the tournament and the entire tour. The question that remains is the following one: How many more tournaments will Rahm win?
Max Homa (+1800 odds on DraftKings)
Max Homa is having an exceptional year, having won two tournaments and securing a second-place finish. The American is currently experiencing a great run of form that could continue at one of the PGA Tour’s most prestigious courses. At the Genesis Open, Homa put constant pressure on Jon Rahm, which is no easy feat.
He maintained his pace and didn’t back down from the Spaniard’s impressive shots. Although he finished two strokes behind Rahm, with a score of -15, Homa’s outstanding performance shows how well he is playing. He will once again face Rahm, setting up what promises to be a thrilling duel in Florida.
Sleeper Picks
Scottie Scheffler (+1000 odds on DraftKings)
The defending champion of this tournament won the Phoenix Open playing smart golf, but in the Genesis Open, a series of bad decisions set him back and he finished 12th. This is a complicated field, and although he knows it, it is no small feat to be a two-time champion. The last to achieve this was Tiger Woods in 2012 and 2013.
Will Zalatoris (+2200 on DraftKings)
Zalatoris has made significant improvements this season, despite his disappointment of missing the cut at the Farmers Insurance – which was undoubtedly a hard blow for him. However, at the Genesis Open, he transformed into a completely different golfer: he came out very aggressive in the first two rounds, which helped him to reach the top positions. He finished fourth, proving that when he takes risks, he is a very dangerous opponent.
Dark Horse
Sungjae Im (+3500 Odds on DraftKings)
Following impressive performances at the Farmers Insurance Open and the Phoenix Open, finishing fourth and sixth place respectively, Sungjae Im’s form has since declined significantly. He has struggled through rounds marked by poor decision-making, leading to a sense of desperation and numerous bogeys. However, if he can harness his powerful driving ability (which may not be as advantageous on this particular course) and remain composed during challenging moments, he has the potential to deliver a major upset.
JefeBet Prediction
Due to the level shown in the last tournaments, and because he already rested for a week, we are confident that Jon Rahm will win his fourth title of the year in a very short time. It will be a good fight with Homa and Rory, if the Northern Irishman comes out inspired.
Jon Rahm is on track to have a spectacular year: he’s aiming for the Majors and coming in with four wins in the bag. There’s no one able to stop him.
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