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2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational: Preview, Props & Best Bets

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Arnold Palmer Invitational Preview

Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Fla., welcomes some of golf’s biggest names for this year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, running March 6–9. This tournament traditionally kicks off a crucial stretch that includes The Players Championship next week and leads into the Masters in April.

Event Details

  • Course: Bay Hill Club & Lodge (Par 72, 7,466 yards)
  • Purse: $20 million (Winner: $4 million)
  • Dates: March 6–9
  • Defending Champion: Scottie Scheffler
  • FedEx Cup Leader: Ludvig Aberg

How to Watch

  • Television:
    • Thursday–Friday: 2–6 p.m. ET on Golf Channel
    • Saturday–Sunday: 12:30–2:30 p.m. ET (GC), then 2:30–6 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
  • Streaming:
    • Thursday–Friday: 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
    • Saturday–Sunday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
  • Social Media: Follow @APInv on X for tournament updates.
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Prop Picks

Michael Kim Over Si Woo Kim (-120 at DraftKings)

Michael Kim, 31, has rediscovered the form that won him the 2017 John Deere Classic by eight strokes. He posted a T2 in Phoenix earlier this season and has four consecutive T13-or-better finishes. Si Woo Kim (12th at Pebble Beach, T21 in Phoenix, T24 at the Genesis) has been solid but less consistent. Trust Michael Kim’s surging confidence here.

Wyndham Clark Top 20 Finish (+175 at BetRivers)

Clark enters the Florida swing searching for momentum after logging a best finish of T15 at The Sentry. He nearly edged out Scheffler last year at Bay Hill – both were under par all four rounds, with Clark finishing runner-up. Look for him to ride that positive course history into another strong showing.

Scottie Scheffler & Ludvig Aberg Both Top 5 (+600 at DraftKings)

Scheffler has collected two wins in his past three appearances at Bay Hill. Aberg, who lives a couple of hours away, calls this “one of the most iconic courses” on tour. He’s also arguably the hottest player in the world with two wins already this year. Though it’s not easy to find long odds on them, pairing them in a top-five prop has appeal.

2025 Prop Pick Record: 10–12–1

Best Bets

Scottie Scheffler (+320)

Scheffler won by five strokes last year – the largest margin at Bay Hill since 2012. It was one of his four signature victories last year, which included The Players and the Masters. Given his fondness for Bay Hill and recent rest, Scheffler remains the man to beat.

Rory McIlroy (+750)

The 2018 champion returns to an event he’s played annually since 2015. He shares top status with Scheffler for total winning bets at 11 percent each. Despite some inconsistent results of late, McIlroy’s past success at Bay Hill can’t be ignored.

Ludvig Aberg (+1600)

Aberg boasts two wins among his 40 starts this season, plus a T5 at The Sentry and an illness-impacted lead at the Farmers. Notably, he’s drawn 18 percent of all money wagered to win – more than anyone else. If his hot streak continues, Bay Hill could be the site of another triumph.

Xander Schauffele (+1800)

Coming off a rib injury, Schauffele makes his first start since a T30 at The Sentry. While he hasn’t contended much here historically, he’s proven capable of playing well on demanding courses.

Justin Thomas (+2500)

Thomas has six top-10s in his last eight worldwide starts, yet still hasn’t won since his 2022 PGA Championship triumph. With 9 percent of the money behind him, bettors believe Thomas is close to a breakthrough.

Tommy Fleetwood (+3000)

Ranked 10th globally, Fleetwood enters off a T5 at the Genesis. He has quietly built a strong record on challenging courses and is eager for his first PGA Tour victory on U.S. soil.

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Tournament Notes

Payne Stewart’s 264 total in 1987 remains the tournament scoring record.

Fourth of eight limited-field signature events, featuring a $20 million purse and 700 FedEx Cup points.

Invitees: Rafael Campos, Mackenzie Hughes, Min Woo Lee, Justin Rose (sponsor exemptions).

Field Cut: After 36 holes, low 50 plus ties (and any within 10 shots of the lead) advance.

Strength: 38 of the top 40 in the Official World Golf Ranking, 47 of the top 50 are competing.

Auburn sophomore Jackson Koivun earned an Arnold Palmer Cup Exemption to play.

Since 1999, the tournament hasn’t ended in a playoff. Yet 13 of the last 25 winners triumphed by just one shot.