DFS PGA Playbook - Arnold Palmer Invitational

Anytime I see Arnold Palmer out on a golf course, it brings a smile to my face.  "The King" is still one of the most popular golfers in the history of the game and one of the sports' first true superstars of the television era.  The working class hero from Latrobe, Pennsylvania became a house hold name in 1958 when he won his first of four Masters titles.  The legend finished his professional career with seven majors including one U.S. Open and two British Opens.  He never did complete the career grand slam finishing second in the PGA Championship three times.  I apologize for the history lesson but I felt there was need as we head into the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.

This is an invitational which means only a select group of golfers were asked to participate.  We will have a total of 120 golfers in the field this week which is not as small as the WGC (66) from two weeks back but smaller than your average PGA Tour event.  Stars and scrubs should be the name of the game this week especially in your GPP tournaments.  Now, lets take a closer look at the course ...

I have a personal list of golf courses that our on my bucket list and this would be the first one on the PGA Tour schedule.  Bay Hill Golf & Lodge is a par 72 that reaches out 7,419 yards.  The track went through a redesign in 2010 and another one to the greens in 2016 to help out with the muddy spots around the course.  One of the first things I take a look at for this course is the average fairways hit which usually lands around the 65 percent mark.  If you look at the players in the Top 10, they are usually right around that mark or even better.  There are exceptions to every rule especially when you look at Tiger Woods (8-time winner of this event) history, he usually ranked at the bottom in fairways hit but he can't be compared to anyone else.  There is a thick rough around this course which means the smart players will club down off the tee to hit the fairways.  Driving distance is nice but not something you have to target on this course.  As these players attack these small and firm greens for birdies, you'll want players who have good proximity numbers as well as being a good scramblers and putters.  You'll be able to tell rather quickly whether your golfer has his "A" game as the first three holes at Bay Hill are considered the toughest opening three holes on the Tour.  

The weather will be a factor this weekend.  We have a good threat of rain and thunderstorms in the forecast throughout the tournament weekend.  It looks like things will get even worse on Saturday and Sunday as the temperatures drop from the mid-80s into the upper 70s.  You have to hope that your golfers to get off to good start before the weather turns bad.

Finally, we have to say hello to our friend and guide throughout this Fantasy Golf season, Paige.  Once again, if you have not checked our her instagram page, you are truly missing out (@_paige.renee).  Paige encourages us all to get our game faces on for the Arnold Palmer Invitational. 

My loyal readers know that it has been a tough road over the past few weeks but I really appreciate your dedication and support.  I put my blood, sweat and tears into these playbooks and I'm living and dying right alongside you every week.  If you want to chat with me throughout the weekend, feel free to comment below but I am much more active and responsive on Twitter (@Drew_Phelps83).  Also, I have to thank the Fantasy Alarm's fearless leader Jeff Mans and his partner Tommy G from SiriusXM Daily Fantasy Sports for giving me a weekly spot on Wednesdays to break down the upcoming tournament.  Their show airs weeknights from 5-6pm eastern.

GOOD LUCK THIS WEEKEND!             

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