Arnold Palmer Invitational
Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, FL
Thursday Mar 17th - Sunday Mar 20th, 2016
by David Barwise
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| Photo: examiner.com |
There will be many past-winners of this tournament in
Orlando this week, but the cameras will undoubtedly be seeking out the most-famous…
Arnold Palmer.
“The King” won with an incredible score of -18 back in 1971,
and the tournament has borne his name since 2007. Since then, the great man has
awarded the victor each year a trophy and flashed his winning smile. But which
superstar will be shaking hands with the 86 year old this year?
There always stands a possibility of the defending champion
returning to take victory again, even if it is only a slight chance in this
case. Should Matt Every claim the
title for a third year, he would outright have more wins in this tournament
than anyone else. Apart from Tiger Woods. He has eight. EIGHT. Looking back
over his performance last year, Every’s success at this course doesn’t seem
reliant on form at all (MC, T69, T49, T63, MC) in the lead-up to this event,
which is just as well as he has already missed three cuts in 2016.
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| Photo: golfweek.com |
Most bookies are still making Rory McIlory favourite this week. He’s allowed a few chances slip
over the past few weeks, including last week’s WGC - Cadillac Championship
which looked to be his coming into Sunday. Rory, who has now jumped back up to
no. 2 in the World Golf Rankings, will be seeking to strengthen his mental game
and settle his nerves as the Masters fast approaches. There would be no better
way to do that than with a win this weekend.
My personal pick for this week (and if he isn’t yours, he
should be) is Adam Scott. Not many
would have expected that he would be the Australian tearing up the Tour this
season, especially after he had to abandon his broom-handle putter. However,
heading into this week with two wins and a second place finish in his last
three appearances, he’s looking as good as ever. Moreover, this is course plays
to his strengths – this season he’s ranked 6th for GIR, 2nd
in approaches > 200 yards and 1st in strokes gained: tee to
green.
In light of some of comments that he made about Jordan
Spieth’s schedule this season (who isn’t actually playing this weekend), there
is pressure on Jason Day to show
that his scheduling has paid off. Thus far, Spieth has three top-10 finishes in
2016, including a win at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. Day can only
boast one top-10 finish so far. Undeniably he’s been playing well but he’s
still lacking the sharpness that we saw at the tail end of last season and, as
we approach the first major of the year, it’s vital that we start seeing it
again.
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| Photo: www.golf-swinger.com |
There’s going to be a few people to look out for this week. Brandt Snedeker sadly had to withdraw
last week with rib-problems; his return this week holds promise since we have
already seen him finish T3nd, 2nd, and 1st this season. Hideki Matsuyama, who already has a win
to his name this season, and Henrik
Stenson, who was runner-up in
this event last year, both have the form and the iron-game to win this week. Kevin Kisner, who tallied up so many
FedExCup points at the beginning of this season looks to gain on Adam Scott on
a course that suits his game.
Ultimately this week is the opportunity for golfers to put
out a statement of intent as they come into the WGC Match Play, a chance for
the golfing community to size up their favourites in the run-up to the Masters,
and the prospect for everyone at home to see “The King” again.
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