Arnold Palmer Invitational Odds: Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler headline star-studded field

Golf fans are in for a treat this week as the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill (Par 72, 7,466 yards) takes centre stage on the PGA Tour, featuring a star-studded field.

We’ve analysed the odds, assessed the form of the main contenders, and looked at a few other players that have fared well at Bay Hill in the past.

The Favourites

44 of the top 50 ranked players in the world will be battling it out for glory at the challenging Bay Hill. The upper echelon of the betting is jam-packed with major winners: we’re talking John Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, and Justin Thomas. So, it promises to be an electric and supremely competitive four days in Orlando.

Top of both the odds and World Ranking tables is Jon Rahm at 13/2 with Betfair (8 places each-way at 1/5). The Spaniard is in simply scintillating form, winning three of his last five PGA Tour events, including The Genesis Invitational last time out which propelled him back to the top of the rankings. In fact Rahm has, quite incredibly, conjured up five wins from his last nine tournaments, finishing inside the top-8 every time.

Next up we have a former winner here in Rory McIlroy who can be backed at 9/1 with Paddy Power (10 places each-way at 1/5). McIlroy has been located in the top-10 at this event in five of the last six years, winning in 2018, while last month he carved out his first victory of 2023 at the Dubai Desert Classic. However, he's since failed to build on that, finishing 32nd at the Phoenix Open and 29th at the Genesis Invitational last week.

Scottie Scheffler heads to Bay Hill as the defending champion following his victory last year. He comes into the 2023 edition off a recent win at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale - which he also won last year - and can be backed at 10/1 with bet365 to double up once again by winning consecutive Arnold Palmer Invitationals, something Matt Every achieved in 2014 and 2015, and a certain Tiger Woods has done on numerous occasions (2012 & 2013 - 2008 & 2009 - 2000, 2001, 2002 & 2003).

Two-time major winner Collin Morikawa has been knocking at the door in recent tour appearances, finishing T6 last week at The Genesis Invitational, third at Farmers Insurance Open, and runner-up to Rahm at the Sentry Tournament of Champions. Morikawa finished 9th in his last appearance at the tournament in 2020 and is best-priced at 20/1 with Betfair (8 places at 1/5).

Recent Winners at the Arnold Palmer Invitational

2022: Scottie Scheffler

2021: Bryson DeChambeau

2020: Tyrrell Hatton

2019: Francesco Molinari

2018: Rory McIlroy

Three others to watch

Below we’ve identified three players who have each impressed at Bay Hill in recent years: 

Tyrrell Hatton is likely to attract interest at 35/1 (bet365) due to a combination of his record here and current form. Hatton clearly excels in these surroundings, pertinently showcased in his 2020 triumph. He nearly added another title last time out, finishing just one shot behind winner Scheffler, and came 4th back in 2017. On top of that, Hatton can be encouraged from displays of T6 at the WM Phoenix Open and T7 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

If you’re after another player with a promising course record then Matthew Fitzpatrick could catch the eye at 40/1 with SpreadEx (6 places at 1/5). Last year’s US Open winner has four top-10s in his last four appearances at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, including 2nd in 2019. He’ll no doubt be in the mixer once again.

You simply can’t ignore Chris Kirk at the moment. The 37-year-old boasts three top-3 finishes from his last four PGA Tour events, re-joining the winners' circle last week for the first time in eight years following his success at The Honda Classic. Kirk will also be boosted by his last two showings at the Arnold Palmer Invitational: T5 in 2022 (two shots off the summit) and T8 in 2021.

Betfred and 10Bet both offer odds of 70/1 for Kirk to come out on top (5 places at 1/4), although you may fancy the 60/1 available with Betfair at eight places.