PGA Tour preview: Arnold Palmer Invitational TV times and betting tips
So, that was a blow. It’s going to take me a while to forgive Daniel Berger. When your banker bet heads into the final round with a five-shot lead, you expect a big profit weekend. But instead we had to settle for some place money courtesy of Shane Lowry. I’m sure Berger is hurting more than me, so onwards and upwards to the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. With defending champion Bryson DeChambeau out injured, I have tipped three players who I fancy to take his crown. But before I get into my free golf betting tips…
Arnold Palmer Invitational details
Venue: Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Florida
Date: March 3-6, 2022
Course stats: Par 72; 7,454 yards
Course summary: This iconic venue is a traditionally tough parkland test, requiring accurate ball striking and solid putting. The course offers many defences, including lots of water and heavy bunkering. Strong play from tee to green is important here with dogleg holes to navigate, while long par-3s and reachable par-5s are sure to inject drama.
Purse: $12 million
Defending champion: Bryson DeChambeau (-11)
Arnold Palmer Invitational TV coverage
Thursday: Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 3pm
Friday: Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 3pm
Saturday: Sky Sports Golf from 2pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 8.30pm
Sunday: Sky Sports Golf from 2pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 8.30pm
Arnold Palmer Invitational golf betting tips
Bazza’s Banker: Jason Kokrak – 2.5pts e/w @ 45/1 with Bet365
Kokrak’s recent record at this event is excellent, with six top-20 finishes in his last eight starts including four top 10s. A strong finish at the Genesis last time out is also encouraging, so it would be no surprise to see him make a fast start at a course he appears to like.
Three PGA Tour wins in just over 12 months certainly increased Kokrak’s capital, and that is mirrored in his stats. In the last 12 months, he ranks 12th for SG: Putting and 33rd for SG: Total. While Kokrak is not yet considered a market favourite in big events such as this, he may well have been underestimated at this price.
The Each-Way Play: Billy Horschel – 1.5pts e/w @ 55/1 with Bet365
Billy Horschel is a man in form right now, with three consecutive top-16 finishes including when 6th in his penultimate event. Horschel has some steady course form to lean on, finishing in the top-20 on a couple of occasions, but I am most impressed by his recent performances.
Horschel currently ranks 4th for Par-3 Scoring this season, and in the top 25 for Greens-in-Regulation, so should in current form be a perfect fit for the test at Bay Hill. When you also consider he ranks 17th for SG: Putting in the last three months, he appears to be a value-packed selection in the each-way market.
The Long Shot: Patrick Reed – 1pt e/w @ 110/1 with Bet365
If anyone offers me over 100/1 on Reed at any event, I am taking it. I can’t quite believe this price is being offered. It is fair to say that Reed is not in form at present, but when you look back at his best performances this season they are always preceded by below average performances. When Reed finished second in Bermuda he arrived off the back of a missed cut and a T68 finish, and a similar story unfolded when he finished third at the Hero World Challenge.
Reed has some respectable course form, finishing 7th and 15th in the last four visits to Bay Hill, and has also recently finished in the top 15 at the Sentry Tournament of Champions. We all know that he possesses a stellar short game, and if he can get his ball striking firing on all cylinders he will make a mockery of this price.
For more prices, visit Bet365.
