2011 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard Preview
Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011
Last Week
Gary Woodland used an interesting mix of five birdies, three bogeys and a par on the back nine to win the Transitions Championship, his first career Tour victory. Earlier in the year, Woodland lost the Bob Hope Classic to Jhonattan Vegas in a playoff.
Three of my picks finished in the top-20, including Woodland. I’ve now hit three winners this season, all coming in the last six stroke play events. My Must Start, Nick Watney, finished T13 with two strong rounds and two poor rounds. Jonathan Byrd fell from 10th to T20th after shooting 3-over on Sunday. Bubba Watson and Retief Goosen T28, K.J. Choi MC.
This Week
The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard is played at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Fla. The event is the Tour’s fourth and final stop on the Florida swing. Last year’s winner, Ernie Els, finished ninth or better in fairways, greens and putting on the course that was redesigned following the 2009 event.
Dustin Johnson
In last year’s event, Johnson entered Sunday T16 but finished T40 after shooting a 6-over 78. He currently ranks first in birdies, second in driving distance and 11 in greens. While he’s got all the skills to dominate this course, Johnson has struggled to close out tournaments. All things considered, DJ is a top selection, despite the risk-reward factor.
Hunter Mahan – Must Start
With three straight finishes of 25th or better, Mahan is one of the few players with a semi-consistent track record at Bay Hill. Over his last five stroke play events, Mahan owns three top-10s including a runner-up performance. He currently ranks 10th in birdies and 14th in All-Around Ranking. Make Mahan a key part of your lineup.
Gary Woodland
Coming off his first Tour victory, Woodland is feeling the March Madness. Prior to attending the University of Kansas on a golf scholarship, Woodland received a basketball scholarship to Washburn University. Over his last six starts, he’s been on fire with four finishes of sixth or better. Woodland ranks fourth in birdies and scoring averages, eighth in driving distance, 11th in putting, 15th in greens and 17th in All-Around. Starting Woodland is a slam dunk.
Kevin Na
Even though Na has missed three cuts this season, he also owns two top-fives and another top-20 finish this season. In his last two Bay Hill events, Na has finished T2 and T11. Besides that, he is currently first in putts per round and eighth in putting average. Recent history at Bay Hill is reason enough to reserve a spot in your lineup for Ka.
Webb Simpson
In his last five events, Simpson has finished 13th or better on four occasions, including a runner-up last week. He missed the cut last year at Bay Hill and T11 in 2009. Simpson doesn’t pack much off the tee but is solid everywhere else. He’s seventh in scoring, ninth in birdies, 20th in greens and 12th in All-Around.
Chris Couch
Last year at Bay Hill, Couch finished T4. He was third in greens and T7 in fairways. He enters with a T5 from last week, his second top-10 in three starts. Couch ranks third in putting, seventh in birdies, eighth in scoring and sixth in All-Around.
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