Arnold Palmer Invitational 2024: SB Nation’s Playing Through staff predicts winners

The PGA Tour’s “Florida Swing” continues in the heart of the Sunshine State at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge.

This week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational will feature 69 players, with nine players scheduled to compete in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).

This tournament will be entertaining golf fans once again in 2023, and you won’t be disappointed.

Kurt Kitayama overcame tough conditions to win his first PGA Tour title, fending off Rory McIlroy, Harris English, Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth.

Kitayama, who was in the lead after 54 holes, hit his drive out of bounds on the par-4 9th hole, then made a triple bogey, dropping three strokes and opening the door for others to follow. But he steadied the ship on the back nine, playing even-par golf until he arrived at the difficult par-3 17th. Kitayama hit a beautiful tee shot at 14 feet and calmly rolled it for birdie. This put him back at 9 under and aiming for the win.

He then made par on the pressured 18th hole and won by one stroke.

Who will win this time? The folks at Playing Through have an idea.

Here are their recommendations:

Kendall Capps – Senior Editor

I’m anticipating a real breakout session. Ludwig Oberg At Bay Hill.

This course is one of the most challenging tracks on the PGA Tour. Since some changes were made around the greens five years ago, Bay Hill has ranked in the top five most difficult courses on tour.

At distances over 7,400 yards, driving distance is paramount. But more important is the precision of your driving, and the thick rough that lines these fairways is reminiscent of the U.S. Open atmosphere.

Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young and Oberg are the only elite players in both categories. But we know Oberg is in good form, having finished 24th in his Arnold Palmer Invitational debut last year and already had a win and a second-place finish at Southeast on Bermuda Grass (he was at Pebble Beach). For Ludwig, there is no better place to announce himself to the world than at Ernie’s Tournament.

Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Jacques Mirko – Staff Writer

something tells me that matt fitzpatrick He will win at the Bay Hill course, where he has had much success.

In 2019, Fitzpatrick led 54 holes alone and was paired with Rory McIlroy in the final group to advance to the final round. However, Francesco Molinari shot an 8-under 64 and won by two strokes.

Since then, the 2022 U.S. Open champion has tied for ninth, 10th, ninth and 14th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Fitzpatrick likely would have been contending for the title if not for a 4-over 76 in the third round last year. He finished five spots behind Kurt Kitayama.

Despite this, the Englishman ranked sixth in strokes gained off the tee a year ago at Bay Hill, a course that emphasizes tee ball.

Fitzpatrick ranks 46th in total driving this season, but given his success so far at Ernie’s Place, I believe he will rediscover the magic that led him to glory at Brookline. There is.

Additionally, he tied for 21st place at last week’s Cognizant Classic, a close second. He had only four bogeys all week, but made two double bogeys in the first and second rounds to qualify.

Nevertheless, with Fitzpatrick picking up his first win since last year’s RBC Heritage at Havertown, I hope he bounces back at his favorite track and mitigates his mistakes.

Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images

Savannah Lee Richardson – Staff Writer

I’ll go with you again Viktor Hovland To win this week.

The Arnold Palmer Invitational will be Hovland’s first tournament since the Genesis Invitational, where he tied for 19th place.

He feels refreshed and the world No. 4 player is ready to complete four rounds again.

Additionally, he has had success at Bay Hill in the past. His runner-up finish in 2022 is in the back of my mind. Only 10 players finished under par that week, and Scheffler ultimately won by one stroke over Hovland, Tyrrell Hutton and Billy Horschel.

And last year, the 2023 FedEx Cup champion was back in contention, entering the final round trailing Kurt Kitayama by one stroke. However, an opening bogey followed by an unforced double bogey on No. 8 ruined his chances.

In the final round, he shot a 3-over 75, finishing four points behind Kitayama.

Nevertheless, this location fits Hovland’s game well. He ranked second in strokes gained off the tee a year ago, and I want him to have success with the big stick again.

Additionally, he has won three times since stumbling in the final round here a year ago. He’s learning how to win and I think he’s doing exactly that this week.

Photo by Harry Howe/Getty Images

Who do you think will win this week? Let us know in the comments below or at: @_PlayingThrough on all major social media platforms.

Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.