Power Rankings: Watch for a Big-Name Winner to Emerge This Week at Bay Hill
Welcome to Power Rankings, a weekly feature on SI Golf from our partners at KeyCompete. This week the PGA Tour to Bay Hill for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which is one of the Tour’s signature events for 2024.
Arnold Palmer Invitational Course Preview
Bay Hill Club & Lodge, a masterpiece designed by Dick Wilson and later refined by Arnold Palmer himself, is a par-72, 7,466-yard layout. It’s known for its demanding tee shots, perilous water hazards and undulating greens, and it’s drawn a strong field. Here are the players our model likes this week.
Arnold Palmer Invitational Power Rankings From KeyCompete
1. Scottie Scheffler (+600): His putting is shaky but ability to navigate challenging courses is unparalleled. Winner here in 2022.
2. Xander Schauffele (+1300): Consistency and clutch putting have cemented his place as a top contender. Should be formidable.
3. Viktor Hovland (+1200): Exceptional ballstriking and iron play suit Bay Hill perfectly. Cheerful disposition belies a fierce competitor.
4. Patrick Cantlay (+1500): Recent form suggests he's peaking at the right time. T4 here last year.
5. Jordan Spieth (+1800): Known for his magical short game and putting, Spieth also brings an element of unpredictability. Back-to-back T4s in his last two outings here.
6. Rory McIlroy (+900): Unparalleled driving ability and Bay Hill experience make McIlroy, as ever, a key player to watch. If his putter heats up, look out.
7. Justin Thomas (+2800): Competitive fire and elite ballstriking are a great combo for Bay Hill.
8. Ludvig Aberg (+1800): The rising star has quickly made a name for himself with his fearless play and remarkable adaptability. This is his power rankings debut.
9. Collin Morikawa (+1800): Precision and masterful irons will be his greatest asset. A strong contender.
10. Sahith Theegala (+4500): Poised for a breakout year, his aggressive style could produce low scores here.
About Last Week
Austin Eckroat rose above the rest at the Cognizant Classic to claim his first PGA Tour title by three shots, punctuated by a series of clutch shots under pressure in Monday’s final round.
KeyCompete had a nice week, which brought our yearly record on top picks to a solid 41-29.