2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational Predictions
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
Rory McIlroy’s reign as the No. 1 golfer in the world didn’t last long. Luke Donald regained the top spot with a win at the Transitions Championship last week. The win didn’t come easy, as Donald had to hold off Jim Furyk in a sudden-death playoff. Neither Donald or McIlroy will be in action this week, as the PGA Tour heads to Bay Hill, Florida for the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational held at Bay Hill Club & Lounge.
Bay Hill is one of the more challenging non-majors on the schedule. Winds really made the course tough in 2011, as Martin Laird won by posting an 8-under 280. It was the second-highest winning score in the 46-year history of this event. Conditions figure to be less threatening this year, which should lead to some better scores.
Distance and accuracy off the tee aren’t a huge priority at this event. The key to scoring low at Bay Hill is being able to find the greens in regulation and taking advantage of any easy birdie opportunities when they present themselves. Putting well seems to be the biggest key in tackling this course. Last year’s putting average was 1.841, which tied for the four-highest average of the entire season.
While Laird sets out to defend his title, most of the attention this week will be on Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Woods is a six-time winner at Bay Hill, while Mickelson won this event back in 1997. Veterans like Woods and Mickelson are the ones who you want to keep an eye on this week. Over the last three stops at this event, no rookie has finished inside the top 10.
For those of you looking to place a wager on the event this week, here is a look at the three golfers who I feel have the best shot at bringing home the trophy and really building some momentum heading into the Masters.
Justin Rose – Despite a 29th place finish at last week’s Transitions Championship, Rose has really played well early in the 2012 season. He opened up the year with a 13th place finish at the Northern Trust Open and has since finished 5th at the Honda Classic and won the WGC-Cadillac Championship. Rose had his best finish at Bay Hill a season ago, finishing just two shots behind Laird in a three-way tie for third. Rose is currently 19th in greens in regulation and 14th in bogey avoidance, two key stats to putting up a good score this weekend.
Hunter Mahan – The 2012 Accenture Match Play Champion is one of my favorites to win this week. Mahan has opened up the 2012 season with four straight top 25 finishes and has finished inside the top 10 in six of his last 12 starts dating back to last season. In his last four starts at Bay Hill he has three top 25 finishes. When you factor in how well he has been playing of late, I believe 2012 will be the year that Mahan makes a serious run at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Bubba Watson – Here is another player that has been in the zone for some time now. Watson’s 2nd place finish at the WGC-Cadillac Championship was his ninth straight finish inside the top 20. It’s no secret that Watson is one of the best drivers on tour. Watson comes in ranked No. 1 in total driving in 2012. What a lot of people don’t realize is how well Watson is striking the ball once he gets off the tee. He enters this week No. 1 in greens in regulation. He was right in the thick of things at this event in 2011 before posting a final round 78 to push into a tie for 24th.
Looking for some advice on how to golf better this year? Take a look at these putting tips that are sure to lower your score next time out.
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