Practice: Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard
March 22 2011
3:27 pm
Make your picks: Arnold Palmer Inv.
ORLANDO, Fla. — PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard are now available. You can check out how the draft order went this week by clicking here.
Now it’s your turn. Go to the comments form below and tell us who your picking this week and why.
You guys had some impressive picks last week. Martin Laird, Justin Rose and Brandt Snedeker — all of whom played very well at Copperhead — were mentioned. Who will show off their prognostication skills and predict the champion this week? We’ll never know if you don’t comment below.
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I’ve never been good at picking these things but here are my picks for this week:
I always go with Phil. I like his game and his risk/reward approach.
Next is Woods. His game is coming back around and he has a chance.
Finally, my dark-horse is Rocco. I just love his attitude and personality – so he deserves it.
I like Kevin Na this week. Plays well here and has been strong all season. Fowler will take the runner up spot.
Rickie Fowler, Woods can’t finish.
Watch out for Erik Compton this week. T30 here last year, and had a T4 on the nationwide tour a few weeks ago. He led after 3 rounds and could have finished higher if he didn’t double bogey the last hole. He has a limited number of starts, so he is always very driven when he gets the chance to play on the TOUR.
Also, Matteo Manassero is looking to make a big impact this week. He needs to move into the top 50 of the OWGR in order to earn a bid to the masters, and since he sits at 55th, he will be playing his heart out this week. He showed some mettle last week with a T20, and before that he had a T9 at the matchplay. He’s young, but he has a good head on his shoulders and could make an impact this week.
I have to go with Tiger.He’s coming off a top 10 at Doral and played well at the Tavistock.He loves this time of year and he has won at Bay Hill only 6 times!!!
If not Tiger..either DJ or Fowler but i have a feeling it will be Tiger’s week.
Guys last week el nino came out at force 10 however the power was not long lasting so this week its got to be Matt Every with Bill hass runner up
I like Brandt Snedeker this week. He was in the hunt last week and has had 2 previous top 10′s. Maybe being a new dad will calm him down a little and he will be able to handle the pressure on Sunday a little better.
I’m thinking Tiger breaks out this week with a top 5. I also like Charl Schwartzal’s very consistant play. I think that gets him a win this week.
Picking TW is like throwing mud on the wall. “he’s got to win sometime!” “He had one good round at Doral.” “I have a feeling.” Give it a rest. You are insulting all of the pros who are playing well. How about Dustin Johnson or Nick Watney. It’s time the new breed got some ink.
I agree with Dave, you cant pick ppl off past performance like tiger, if that was the case then i pick Arnold Palmer to come back and win the masters.
I pick Rickie Fowler!!!!!
justin leonard has played well the last 2 weeks now driving the ball great and if he can drop some putts wont be far,next best furyk
Im not one for going for favourites.I think alot of people have good chances this week like Martin Laird,Ben Curtis,Chris Couch,Ryan Moore,Rickie Fowler and Brendon De Jonge but i just cant see them winning.So this is the week ive got to go for a more of the big gun players in Dustin Johnson or Tiger Woods!!
Look at Roland Thatcher. His last 3 tournaments in Florida 2nd (Disney), 21st (Honda) and 5th (last week). It’s time for this former Nationwide Tour – 3 time winner to finally break out!
I’m a Phil fan, but i don’t know who will show up this week.He is still working up to the MASTERS,I like Dustin Johnson and also Ricky Fowler , toss up there. Maybe these 3 top 3 at the finish , can’t say which order though.
Tiger wins it all…
I can’t believe you guys are ignoring Gary Woodland. Why not go back to back, this guy has serious length, accuracy and talent. I also hope TW plays well and warms up for the Masters.
It’s D. Johnson’s time!!!!!!!!!!
I like the young kid, Keegan Bradley. He’s had 4 top 25 (t-7th at Hope). Missed a few cuts, twice on the number with a 3 putts on 18! He Bombs it and he’s got solid Ball striking stats. If the putter gets hot he’ll do some damage. Playing with Arnie’s grandson in first two rounds. Bradley’s a rookie but everyone else is “reaching into the pot to get some”. Why not!!!!
Chris Couch for me. Tied 4th here last year, 5th last week at Transitions and in great form. Second pick would be Dustin Johnson but don’t think he’s quite on form yet. We love golf down here in New Zealand and the PGA Tour. Hate going to work Monday morning because it’s always Sunday your time and the tournaments are finishing!
I selected Woodland last week so I’m compelled to chime in on my selection this week. Ishikawa to make his immense talent clearly known here in the states was what I first chose but I then stayed young and selected Matteo Manassero. This young Italian seems unaffacted by the presssure and has played better than Ryo here in the States. I’m definitely gonna buy a lotto ticket if I go back to back! Thx for reading if anyone actually does read these?
db
My favorite player for ALL the right reasons will always be Phil Mickelson.
Yet, of the players in the field, I pick:
Bubba Watson to win, if not then my second choice would be Dustin Johnson. As a top 10, I will go with Hunter Mahan, Justin Rose and Ernie Els. If Nick Watney and Matt Kuchar were in the field, I would pick one of them to win.
I am still pulling for Phil. I respect his morality and he hasn’t been the same since the wedge accusation a year ago. He would have gone on to be #1 in the world.
Time for G-Mac to step-up his game leading up to the Masters.
Robert Allenby is a great ball striker who occasionally gets on a roll with the putter.
Brand Snedeker seems to be getting ready for the Masters, something that is very near and dear to him. Look for him to do well again this week and maybe even break thru for his second win on the PGA Tour.
It’s so Tiger’s Turn. Once he wins one, he won’t stop!
I AGREE WITH MAT.G TIGER IS SO READY TO WIN AGAIN.PHIL WILL HAVE A GOOD WEEK AND DJ GETS A TOP 5
I like Rickie Fowler to win this week. He’s been close a few times in his career, and I really like his style. If not Rickie, I like Dustin Johnson. Big hitter with great touch.
Also, why is everyone so high on Tiger? Last year, and so far this year, he’s looked mediocre at best. No one is scared of him any more, he’s lost his edge!
No doubt it is a great field with many possibilities. Tiger, he is playing better and should be close with Dustin coming in first and a crowd of contenders. It should be one great match.
My top three: 1-Dustin Johnson, 2-Justin Rose, 3-Graeme McDowell… Dark Horse: Chris Couch
tigers in a tough 3ball for the first 2 days where he wii be outdriven by both his playing partners,it could mess with his pychy.phil just winding up for the majors,so my tip this week is JASON DUFNER,have put my money where my mouth is and hope he does a gary woodland and wins following a playoff defeat this year.
Rickie Fowler is due. Keep it in the short grass (as Arnie says) and the putts will drop. No better place to win #1 then at the “King’s Palace”
D.A. Points will rock just like at pebble. Likes the spotlight and what’s better than arnie’s tourney
I expect Japanese young player, Ryo Ishikawa. His good play will will enrourage many of Japanese to recover this tsumani disaster.
Snedeker is hot and could come through. Also Bubba, Na and Rose. It won’t be a top 5 player.
Tiger….Nuff Said…..
Zach Johnson.. He starts getting hot at about this time every year.. its time
The dominate Tiger is coming back and it starts this week! Hes going to win right here in his back yard at a place he loves to play. Then he wins the Masters and away we go. And all the haters will go away as well. I love the new young guns but lets see what happens when they see the big alpha dog is back. Should be fun the rest of the year.
I am going with my all time favorite-Phil
I’m going with the big hitters this week, hoping one of them can combine that with some tasty GIR and putting….
JB Holmes (Dark Horse)
Woodland (Hot)
DJ (Time is Right)
After an excellent Tavistock Cup Robert Allenby is coming into form … look out for great ball striking … c’mon Aussie!
Tiger has shown consistent improvement. He looks more comfortable with what he has been working on. I believe the putting will come around. This is where his comeback begins.
Arron Baddely with sleeper Robert Allenby may go one two. Badds still hitting greens and making birdies the two victorians could be fighting it out:) Hope they both have a nice start
I can’t help picking Tiger…for good and bad reasons, I know. Next it would be G-Mac and Dustin Johnson.
Tiger- 6 wins here says it all!
David Toms.
Chris Couch been knocking on the door,this week it opens!…….
Mahan to win
Fowler 2nd
Dustin J 3rd
My top 10: 1st-Kenny Perry 2nd-Scott Verplank T3rd-J.B. Holmes, Ben Curtis, Tiger Woods T6th-K.J. Choi, Ian Poulter, David Toms T9th-Justin Leonard, Henrik Stenson The course is long with wide fairways and tight openings around greens. Fits my players perfectly!!! Now what is my prize for my expert picks?
The Masters is right around the corner, and it is time for Phil to get it going, so no better place than Arnie’s tourney.
stephen ames or Sergio garcia
Don´t forget Jhonattan Vegas. He plays very well this first year in the tour… Is my favorite. He´s ready this week for win, and the second Hunter Mahan….
I think/hope Tiger is BACK, finally. He can do it. If not, then I think Dustin Johnson will pull out the win.
i would have to go with poulter this time. he says his game is just coming around and he is someone who can pull of a huge round. mayb gmac with his consistency
Have to go with Lefty. Tiger is in a Georgia state of mind. Too many things to work on before he gets to Augusta
Dustin Johnson 1 and Aaron Baddingly 2.I
hope Mateo Montessero has a great tournament
so he can play in the Masters.Dustin is a great scrambler and Aaron Baddingly is putting
like a champ lately.
It’s got to be Fowlers turn!
I pick T.W. He is due and what a course to do it on… To all the people picking Rickie Fowler you are all nuts….lmao
GO DAVID DUVAL !!!!!!! It’s his time for a win.
Don’t sleep on Two gloves! Been close twice already. Six cuts made in a row. He’s due!
Nick Watney has got his “A” game and motivation
from his poor final round last week. Tiger has
no chance- too much going on upstairs.
My sleeper is Sergio Garcia and my pick to win it is Philly!
Dustin Johnson’s time to win.
Hunter Mahan or Dustin Johnson for me.Reckon Snedeker will get a T10 again this week.
I think it will be a great tourny and i’m looking forward to watching. I want see a shootout between Tiger,Phil,Dustin,GMack, RickieF and Sergio. I will, be leaning forward.
I’m going with David Duval. Why???
Well first of all he’s about 10 years over due.
Secondly, he’s been playing decent so far this year (even though he missed the cut last week).
What can I say………I love a great come back story.
For the same reasons my second pick would be Sergio.
Jim Furyk – win
Zac
B ubb a (scuse me)
Have to go with Dustin this week. Just a gut fellin. Woods who??
I think it will be Camilo Villegas. I watched him at the World Golf Championships at Doral; his putting was right on…they just weren’t dropping. Watch this week as the Spiderman spins a web of birdies for the win!
JROSE…all the way!
Charlie Sh-WI-een hahaha nuf said hes a winner
I really like Ian Poulter I think his willing to win is fantastic so I am going to go with him and then Ricky Fowler and then Tiger Woods and then G- mac
hunter mahan looks the 1 this hes playing great stuff and sean ohair eway at big price he likes this course
Dustin Johnson can make a lot of birdies and drive the ball really long. If he doesn’t make many bogies i think he’s a good pick to win this week.
Camilo villegas!!
Ricky Barnes is a monster on courses were par is a value. Look at his record on major courses. I think Toms is ready for a top ten. He is 7th in overall stats. JB Holmes needs to make a move to get into the Masters and I think he has been in top 20 in all of his entries this year. GL guys
TIGER WOODS = phil mickelson= bubba watson. I,m behind Tiger all the way, and hoping pressures off now for him. He,s a great golfer.
Watched Keegan Bradley on the range and the practice round….SOLID!
Tiger will finish 1,2 or 3. He is back on track.
Tiger woods knows how to win at bay hill.In fact he knows were to win any were on the planet.Tiger knows bay hill well and his swing is taking shape he has also gone back to his old putting stroke which he used to work on with his late dad Earl his most infulential figure. (R.I.P EARL WOODS) .He has won 14 majors with this putting stroke and 71 pga tour victories.
How many times have we seen him hold the crucial putt on 18 on sunday the time has come for him to rise again.
TIME FOR TIGER TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE!
Memories of Augusta a few years ago will stir Zach Johnson into giving it a good shot this week.He has course form and has shown glimpses of present form in his last couple of outings.
Am I reading this correctly? None of the experts picked Phil- even as a sleeper? How can he not be one of the 20 top golfers this weekend! Or, does he not qualify as a “sleeper” because he has won?
Dustin Johnson or Rickie Fowler.
Too many birdies to be had on the new layout.
Bubba Watson wins Tiger cracks the top 5 this week
From a betting point of view the value in the market is with kevin na, chris couch, martin laird & brandt snedtker. You can’t argue with Kevin Nas past performances at bay hill and he is in the top ten in putting.
Martin Laird has been solid all season so far. He has just lacked that winning touch.He will win this year and this course could suit his game.
Brandt Snedtker is coming off an encouraging finish last week in the transitions championship. He also has a good record at Bay Hill. He is getting hot at the right time
However, I feel that this week could be Chris Couch’s week. He is one of the most consistant players on tour the last two years without collecting a trophy.
I will pick Ricky Fowler, it’s time, Justine rose
simple as this jim furyk ist sean o hair 2nd
Should be a spectacular tournament, the stars are out. Woodland will not win, if he makes the cut and wins money that is a moral booster in itself. He is on the radar screen.
V. Singh – 2 top 10s this year – solid track record at bay hill – from 2005 to 2009 singh had 4 consectutive top 10 finishes with a victory coming in 2007
woods finishes top 10 making the anticipation for his breakout at the masters even more attractive
I have read this week’s script and I can say this; Many of you are going to be delighted with the outcome. Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to divulge anything further, it would only spoil the surprise.
I am keeping my eye on unheralded Steve Marino in Orlando this week. I also expect Martin Laird and Justin Rose to contend on Sunday.
I have Bubba winning it this week, he has played very well all year and has improved so much since last year. Not to mention he hits it a country mile.
Next i have Rickie Fowler, his game has improved so much this year after getting a feel of the tour. Also him and Bubba are great friends and seem to play well when the other does.
My dark horse for the week is Chris Couch, he played very steadily last week and seems to have his game back and is ready to show everyone he can play.
Watch Vijay; he will be in the top ten!
Can someone please tell me why so many top players are not in the tournment?
Thanks
This is the time of year when Phil gets it going. All depends on his start however. Look for the big Easy to be right there.
[...] A handful of you correctly selected Martin Laird to win last week at Bay Hill. Perhaps the most impressive post came from user RobbyRou who picked Steve Marino (2nd) and mentioned Martin Laird (1st) and Justin Rose (T3) as two other players to watch. Well done! [...]
my pick for this week shell houston open
1 matt cuchar 2lee weswood 3 phill mickelson