Rory McIlroy
Simply because it’s early in the season and most will think they have to save McIlroy for a major, the Irishman shouldn’t be an overly popular pick for one and done pools this week. The Arnold Palmer Invitational is one of the PGA TOUR’s eight Signature Events this season, meaning it features a $20 million purse, which is right around the same amount as the four major championships. The winner this week will take home a cool $4 million and McIlroy is in a perfect situation to secure his first victory of the season.
McIlroy has won three times in the last year – most recently at the Amgen Irish Open this past September – and he has been very close to rejoining the winner’s circle recently, with four top-three finishes in his last seven starts worldwide. His last time out, McIlroy finished runner-up to Jacob Bridgeman by one stroke at the Genesis Invitational, which is also a Signature Event. McIlroy gained strokes in every major category at Riviera CC, including a field-best total in SGT2G and the 36-year-old shot a 6-under 65 in the second round.
McIlroy leads the PGA TOUR in SGT2G and SG APP this season, so his ball striking has been incredible. He also ranks 19th in SG ARG, which is a good sign for this week, as each of the past two winners at Bay Hill have led their fields in the metric.
McIlroy’s resume at this venue is awesome, as he has finished inside the top 10 six times in 11 starts at Bay Hill. McIlroy won at this course by three shots in 2018 and he finished runner-up here in 2023. McIlroy has carded two 65s and one 64 at Bay Hill, and he ranks second among this field in strokes gained per round at the par 72, trailing only Scottie Scheffler.
McIlroy has won four times in Florida – including his win at THE PLAYERS Championship last season – so he is used to competing on Bermuda greens and in the often windy conditions of this state. McIlroy ranks second among this field in strokes gained per round in the Sunshine State and 40% of McIlroy’s wins as a professional have come in the months of January to May, so he is also very used to winning in the early stages of the season.
McIlroy carries the second-best odds to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational at +950 on DraftKings Sportsbook and this is a great time to deploy the superstar.
Past One and Done Tournament Results
The Sony Open: J.J. Spaun (T40)
The American Express: Si Woo Kim (T6)
The Farmers Insurance Open: Will Zalatoris (MC)
WM Phoenix Open: Maverick McNealy (T13)
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Justin Rose (T37)
The Genesis Invitational: Hideki Matsuyama (T28)
Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches: Shane Lowry (T2)
