Wednesday Preview - Arnold Palmer Invitational

The final event of the Florida swing is this week with the annual stop at Bay Hill for the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Palmer has had an influence on the event since the event went to Bay Hill in 1979, but has only been called the Arnold Palmer Invitational since 2007. The event is considered a favorite by players and fans alike, who consider Palmer to be the complete professional in his hosting duties.

Course: Bay Hill, 7,400 yards of the most scenic landscape you won't find anywhere else in Florida. Like the previous stops on the Florida swing, birdies will be hard fought, and ball striking is absolutely key. Miss hit shots will end up wet.

Strength Of Field: C+. A very weak field compared to previous installments of this event. You still have Rory, Henrik, and Adam Scott playing, but Phil skipping the event, as well as the early withdraws by Tiger Woods and Jason Day brings the score down. This is still likely to be the best field you'll see between now and The Masters.

Extra Tidbits: Tiger Woods has won this event eight times, but will be missing the event for the second time in four years...only one European, and four International players in total, have won the event at Bay Hill. The plus side for the Internationals - all of those wins have come since 1998...With Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Ernie Els all skipping the event this year, only four winners since 1997 are teeing it up this year (Martin Laird, Chad Campbell, Vijay Singh, and Rod Pampling)...Arnold Palmer's grandson, Sam Saunders, receives another exemption into the event. Palmer did not invite him last year because Palmer believed he had not earned himself a spot in the field.

Fantasy Four:

Patrick Reed - If he's going to declare himself as one of the top 5 players on Tour, he is going to need to back it up with some more solid finishes. Confidence is ridiculously, and won two weeks ago at a much tougher golf course with a much deeper field.

Bubba Watson - Having a career year (sans 2011) with five top 10 finishes this season, including a win. Has contended in each of the last three events he has played. 

Sang-Moon Bae - Sleeper Pick. Good final round last week gave Bae his second consecutive Top 25 finish. After hitting a slump following his victory last year, he has regained form this season. With the top players either struggling or missing from the field, this could be a perfect spot for Bae to improve his confidence heading into The Masters.

Justin Rose - Finally seems healthy after shoulder and elbow injuries plagued the end of last season and the beginning of this one. A top 10 last week at an incredibly difficult golf course shows the state of Rose's game. If he is 100% heading into The Masters, he may be a favorite to take the green jacket. 

Last Weeks Team: 

Will MacKenzie: T4

Harris English: T38

KJ Choi: T44

Luke Donald: T4