Arnold Palmer Invitational preview: British Fleet to take over at Bay Hill

The PGA Tour remains in Florida this week for one of the most eagerly anticipated non-Major tournaments on the circuit – the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The field looks back to its best this week after a couple of lacklustre showings, with a whole host of the Tour’s star names in action.

Bay Hill plays host to this week’s action and despite the American dominance in the field and market, we’ve picked out two Brits who have every chance of taking home the infamous red cardigan.

Find this week’s selections below.

Rory McIlroy 8/1

Rory McIlroy has been an infrequent contender on the PGA Tour in 2024, but for the first time this season he will be competing in back-to-back PGA tournaments when he tees it up at Bay Hill on Thursday.

He started off his campaign in underwhelming fashion, finishing T66 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, but it has been onwards and upwards since then. He went on to improve to finish T24 at the Genisis Invitational two weeks later, before last week putting in a solid performance to finish T21 at the Cognizant Classic.

Last week’s performance could be key in that McIlroy has the advantage of a Florida outing under his belt over the likes of Scottie Scheffler, who opted to skip the Cognizant Classic. The Northern Irishman’s overall stats speak for themselves and last week he was up to his usual tricks, leading the field for strokes gained from tee-to-green.

McIlroy’s ball-striking numbers make him a backable option for almost any tournament, but it is his putting that has continuously to let him down. However, last week he ranked 21st for strokes gained with the flatstick and that is a more than positive sign.

His form at this tournament certainly catches the eye as well. With nine appearances here, he has a whopping six T10 finishes, including four T5s, a runner-up and a win back in 2018.

At 8/1 he will still pay out each-way with the 7 places available with William Hill, but that will not be satisfactory for four-time Major champion. With the Masters creeping ever closer, McIlroy will want to get a win under his belt and build some momentum, with this seemingly one of his best chances to make a real statement ahead of a big season for him.

Tommy Fleetwood 25/1

Tommy Fleetwood makes up the second half of Ryder Cup duo “Fleetwood Mac”, consisting of himself and the aforementioned McIlroy, but Fleetwood will have to go his own way if he is to win this week.

The Englishman is another contender with a rich history at this tournament, but as is the story all too often for him, he has never managed to get himself over the line. In seven outings here he has four T25 finishes, with three T10s and a third place finishes within that.

After what was a successful, yet winless, last season on the PGA Tour, Fleetwood has made a sold enough start to 2024. He finished a respectable T47 and T31 on his first two appearances, improving to finish 10th in his last outing at the Genisis Invitational.

It is around the greens where Fleetwood will have to excel at what is a long, gruelling par 72, with his ball-striking yet to get back to its best so far in 2024. However, his driving has been efficient and if he can get in the right areas, his tendency to gain strokes on the field around the greens could be vital.

At 25/1 Fleetwood’s talent alone means he could provide good value. He knows the course well and will not be surprised or phased by the tough task at hand. The 7 places available with William Hill are not unfamiliar territory for him and “Fleetwood Mac” could both find themselves towards the top of the leaderboard, but only one will be the champion come Monday Morning.