The 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational is set to take place at the prestigious Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club and Lodge as part of the PGA Florida Swing. This tournament carries Signature Event status, which ensures the participation of nearly all the top golfers in the PGA, following a week where many chose to sit out the Cognizant Classic. Notably, all ten of the top-ranked players in the Official World Golf Ranking have committed to play, with Scottie Scheffler leading the odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. The first tee times are scheduled for 7:40 a.m. ET on Thursday.
Scheffler, the favorite with odds of +310 (meaning a $100 bet would win $310), is closely followed by Rory McIlroy at +1000. Other favorites include Tommy Fleetwood at +2000, Matt Fitzpatrick at +2200, and both Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele at +2500. As golf enthusiasts prepare for the tournament, those interested in making picks or participating in DFS contests are advised to consult the predictions and projected leaderboard from SportsLine, which employs a proprietary model developed by DFS pro Mike McClure. This model has proven to be highly effective, successfully simulating every PGA Tour event 10,000 times, including 16 major tournaments.
One intriguing aspect of the model’s predictions for the Arnold Palmer Invitational is the potential underperformance of Xander Schauffele. Despite being a well-known two-time major champion and one of the favorites, the model suggests he may struggle to break into the top ten. Schauffele finished T7 at the Genesis Invitational recently, but he has not succeeded in securing a top-20 finish at this event in the past, placing T40 last year.
In contrast, Si Woo Kim, who has longer odds at +2700, is expected to make a strong run at the title. Although Kim has seen a dip in his recent performances, he began the season with impressive results, including a T2 finish at the Farmers Insurance Open and a T3 at the WM Phoenix Open.
In addition, new users can take advantage of promotional offers such as a bonus from DraftKings, rewarding $200 in bonus bets for winning a first bet of $5 or more. The excitement around the tournament builds as fans and participants alike look forward to the thrilling competition and potential surprises on the course.
For those eager to stay updated, the complete list of odds features a range of golfers, from well-known champions to promising longshots, which adds an element of unpredictability and excitement to the tournament. As the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational approaches, golf fans can look forward to a captivating event filled with top-tier talent and surprising outcomes.