Rahm Favored to Win Arnold Palmer Invitational for First Time
- Rahm the Easy Favorite Sans DeChambeau
- McIlroy, Hovland, Scheffler Also in the Mix
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AKRON, OH - AUGUST 03: Jon Rahm of Spain hits off the sixth tee during the first round of the World Golf Championships - Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club South Course on August 3, 2017 in Akron, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
With defending champion Bryson DeChambeau out of this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational due to a wrist injury, the easy favorite for the event at Bay Hill Club and Lodge is the world’s No. 1 player – Spaniard Jon Rahm. Experience at Bay Hill may not be on Rahm’s side, but that has not kept oddsmakers from putting him atop the betting board at +800 (bet $100 to win $800) to take home his first title there via online sportsbook BetOnline.
This will be Rahm’s very first start at Bay Hill, which is one of the longest golf courses on the PGA Tour at about 7,450 yards. Coming off the best year of his career, the 27-year-old has yet to win an event this season, with his best finish (second place) coming in the Sentry Tournament of Champions between January 6 and 9 to start 2022.
The absence of DeChambeau can only help Rahm here, as the heavy hitter is one of the few who can challenge him from a driving perspective. Without the defending champ on the course, Rahm should like his chances despite never playing a tourney on this course before.
However, some popular publications disagree with that take…
It might be a good idea to fade World No. 1 Jon Rahm this week at Bay Hill. 🤔
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) March 2, 2022
McIlroy Top Challenger as Second Betting Choice
Past history is on the side of one golfer this week who has enjoyed recent success at Bay Hill, and that would be Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy. The 32-year-old won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2018 and has put together five straight Top 10 finishes at Bay Hill overall. He tied for 10th place there a year ago.
McIlroy is the +1200 second choice on the betting board, and justifiably so, ahead of other top contenders such as Norwegian Viktor Hovland (+1600) and American Scottie Scheffler (+1800). Further down the board are some intriguing names with some value, including Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama (+2200), South Korea’s Sungjae Im (+2500), England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick (+2500), and another American in Will Zalatoris (+2500).
