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PGA Tour 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational Odds & Picks – Rory McIlroy Favored

Michael Harrison

by Michael Harrison in Golf

Updated Mar 26, 2020 · 2:09 PM PDT

Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy is the favorite to win the 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational. Photo by Tour Pro Golf Clubs (Flickr) CC License.
  • Deep field teeing it up at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on March 7
  • Injury bug bites Tiger Woods again as he withdraws with a neck strain
  • We’ve narrowed down the golfers with the best chance of emerging victorious

Tiger Woods was set to return to his personal playground at Bay Hill this week, but the 8-time champ had to withdraw with a neck strain, opening up a clearer path for the other golfers to taste victory.

The defending champion is Rory McIlroy who blitzed the field last year with a sizzling 64 on Sunday, en route to a three-stroke victory, and he returns this year in extremely good form.

2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational Odds

Golfer Odds to Win 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational Odds
Rory McIlroy +700 +700
Brooks Koepka +1100 +1100
Justin Rose +1100 +1100
Rickie Fowler +1200 +1100
Jason Day +1400 +1400
Bryson DeChambeau +1400 +1600
Hideki Matsuyama +2800 +2200
Marc Leishman +2800 +2500
Francesco Molinari +3300 +3300
Patrick Reed +3300 +4000
Tommy Fleetwood +3300 +3300
Bubba Watson +4000 +5000
Phil Mickelson +4000 +4000
Henrik Stenson +5000 +5000
Louis Oosthuizen +5000 +5000

*Odds taken 03/04/19.

Rory McIlroy on Best 4-Tournament Stretch of Career

Despite not picking up a worldwide victory since his triumph at Bay Hill last year, Rory McIlroy has racked up four straight top-5 finishes for the first time in his career.

Everything is peaking perfectly towards that elusive green jacket at the Masters in April, which would complete the career grand slam.

It would be absolutely stunning if McIlroy didn’t contend deep into the weekend again this year at Arnie’s place.

With Tiger not teeing it up, however, McIlroy’s odds aren’t super enticing at just +700. I’d be more inclined to pass on wagering on the Ulsterman and perhaps wait for an in-play bet should he get off to a slower start.

Rory McIlroy’s Last 4 Tournaments

Tournament Result
Sentry Tournament of Champions T-4th
Farmers Insurance Open T-5th
Genesis Open T-4th
WGC-Mexico Championship 2nd

*McIlroy is the defending champion at Arnold Palmer Invitational

Bryson DeChambeau an Intriguing Option

Since his incredible tear, which saw him emerge victorious four times in a nine-tournament stretch, Bryson DeChambeau has “struggled” by his lofty standards with those results being T-6, T-15, T-56.

Last year, DeChambeau gave McIlroy all he could handle down the stretch before finishing runner-up in a thrilling duel.

I expect him to shake off his recent poor outing at the WGC-Mexico and get back to being his dominant Mad Scientist-self this week, doing one better than last year.

Last 5 Arnold Palmer Invitational Winners

Year Winner
2018 Rory McIlroy
2017 Marc Leishman
2016 Jason Day
2015 Matt Every
2014 Matt Every

2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational Best Value Picks

  1. Henrik Stenson (+5000): Has struggled with his game of late but he’s due for a breakthrough at Bay Hill. Last six times around this course he has 2nd, T-3rd, 4th, T-5th, T-8th finishes with a lone missed cut.
  2. Lucas Glover (+5000): Has seven top-17 finishes in eight events this year, including T-7th and T-4th results in last two events.
  3. Si Woo Kim (+6600): T-4th and 3rd place showings in last two tournaments bodes well for boom-or-bust type player.
  4. Matt Every (+10000): 2014 & 2015 champion of this tournament has been quietly steady this season with top-20 finishes in all four events.
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