Fantasy Golf Sleeper Report – 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational

The 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational Fantasy Sleeper Report

Proof, as if any were needed, was served up by Collin Morikawa once more at the WGC Workday at The Concession last week – this kid is the real deal.

It’s rare for a youngster to be such a consistently awesome ball striker, and when you add that with some touch on and around the greens, be it fleeting or otherwise, you have one serious player on your hands.

Having received some helpful lessons from Mark O’Meara, Morikawa looked like a man reborn with the flat stick, and his saw grip saw him slice his way through the field and collect a fourth PGA TOUR title.

Embed from Getty Images

We are less than two weeks away from THE PLAYERS Championship now, and so while you can forgive the stars of the golfing world for having a week off prior to the trip to TPC Sawgrass, it’s a shame that Arnold Palmer has to suffer in that stead.

His Invitational event has attracted a slightly sluggish field, and while the claims of Paul Casey and Jordan Spieth are there to be made this week, sportsbook odds of 28/1 and 30/1 don’t exactly get the juices flowing.

However, where the market leaders are weak we have opportunities to find golden sleeper plays further down the field, and what’s interesting about Bay Hill – our host this week – is that the large Bermuda greens certainly bring many more potential winners into the frame.

Of course, danger lurks a-plenty with sand and some rather large water features catching the eye on at least nine of the holes, and the doglegging fairways – some of which are pretty severe angles – also require a very specific skillset via which to thrive.

Another factor to consider is the wind, which can be brutal in this slice of Orlando. Last year, and on the weekend in particular, the gale was devilish, and only four players broke par on the Sunday. Tyrrell Hatton just about clung on to glory, parring his way to the title, and it’s notable that the Americans don’t have things all their own way at Bay Hill – indeed, the last five winners here have been European or Australian.

The good news is that the forecast isn’t too apocalyptic, although with some rain around, a stiff breeze and so-so temperatures once again we’re left pondering the possibility that a sleeper might just get the job done this week.

With that in mind, who’s on our shortlist for the Arnold Palmer Invitational?

[membership level=”0″]

You must be a Premium Member to view our exclusive fantasy golf picks.

Already a member?  Sign in Here.

[/membership]

[membership level=”1,2,3″]

The 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational Fantasy Sleeper Report

Kevin Na – 55/1 – It’s no surprise that Na has played well at Bay Hill on a repeated basis – his game is perfect for this set up.

His low-ball flight allows him to escape the wind, and as long as his iron play is on point we know that his prodigious putting talent can convert chances.

Second here in 2010, Na is arguably a better player these days and certainly a more prolific winner – his triumph at the Sony Open is very close behind in the rear view mirror.

Justin Rose – 66/1 – One of the interesting things about Justin Rose will be trying to time his return to the winners’ circle.

Because you sense it will happen, he has certainly shown a killer instinct on many occasions in the past, and Bay Hill – where he has finished inside the top-three on a trio of visits – is as likely as anywhere.

The issue, perhaps, is that he keeps tinkering with what’s in his bag, but if Rose can find a combination of clubs that suits him you would expect him to become a force at the elite end of the sport once more.

With that in mind, it might seem mad that we could back him at 66/1 at one of his favorite courses….

Talor Gooch – 80/1 – We still don’t know a huge amount about Talor Gooch when in contention.

But he has certainly got game, and anybody that ranks inside the top-75 on Tour for Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green and Putting clearly has the ability to get the job done.

A pretty basic formline of 13-26 at Bay Hill shows plenty of love for the layout, and a useful current formline – headed by T12 at the Genesis last time out – shows plenty of progression.

You sense Gooch will contest one of these events at the business end soon enough, and Bay Hill is if nothing else a track that plays to his strengths.

Cameron Tringale – 80/1 – Hotly tipped as a younger man, Cameron Tringale is now 33 and still waiting for a meaningful win as a professional golfer.

That’s a long wait for a drink, and while we’re not suggesting that he’s in the last chance saloon clearly it will get harder for him from here on in.

That’s the bad news. The good is that this is the best Tringale has played for quite some time, and strong showings at the Phoenix Open and Pebble Beach could have been so much more but for one errant round.

A pitch and putt merchant, Tringale will be looking to make up for lost time following a four-year hiatus from Bay Hill.

Rickie Fowler – 80/1 – You wonder if time is ticking for Rickie Fowler too….

Sliding down the world rankings, Fowler has gone from the head of betting markets and a Ryder Cup lock to something of a forgotten man in the world of golf.

A spark of motivation – or a kick up the backside as the Brits say – is needed, and perhaps the renaissance of his old chum Jordan Spieth will stoke Rickie’s fire.

He likes Bay Hill – a formline of 18-40-14-12 tells us that, and he struck the ball much better in his T20 effort at the Genesis. Could that spark a return to form that is so needed?

[/membership]

Want more of this week’s fantasy predictions? Check out our full fantasy preview for the 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational here.

Sleeper Report Predictions This Season (2020-2021)

[skill_bar heading=”Total Top 3s” percent=”2.00%” bar_text=”2 out of 100 picks” style=”background-color: #5fb341″][skill_bar heading=”Total Top 10s” percent= “11.00%” bar_text=”11 out of 100 picks” style=”background-color: #5fb341″][skill_bar heading=”Total Top 25s” percent=”29.00%” bar_text=”29 out of 100 picks” style=”background-color: #5fb341″][skill_bar heading=”Total Winners Picked” percent=0%” bar_text=”0 out of 20 events” style=”background-color: #5fb341″][skill_bar heading=”Total Runners-Up Picked” percent=”10.00%” bar_text=”2 out of 20 events” style=”background-color: #5fb341″][skill_bar heading=”Total Made Cuts (Includes Sleepers)” percent=”74.00%” bar_text=”74 out of 100 picks” style=”background-color: #5fb341″]

---

Cover photo via Instagram