It’s clear that patience has proved to be a strength for Shane Lowry, a quality that has led him to receive a sponsor’s invitation into the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. This is a breakthrough for the man from Offaly, as he had to endure watching previous PGA Tour major events from the sidelines earlier this season. Now, he has a chance to accumulate crucial FedEx Cup points and lucrative prize money.
The invitation couldn’t have come at a better time, following Lowry’s fourth-place tie at the Cognizant Classic. It has definitely boosted his momentum as he prepares for a packed itinerary in the lead-up to the Masters next month. He took to social media to share his excitement about his promising prospects, suggesting that his strong performance in Palm Beach, where Austin Eckroat claimed his first tour victory, might be a harbinger of things to come.
Lowry’s impressive finish saw him climb in various rankings: he advanced to the 74th position in FedEx Cup standings and upgraded from the 57th to 54th place in the updated official world rankings, inching him closer to the coveted top-50.
Lowry is poised to take all he can from the opportunity, especially considering his prior record at Bay Hill, which is largely marred by missed cuts. He placed 67th last year, a minor improvement from four preceding events in 2021, 2019, 2018, and 2015. Lowry is banking on making the most of his invitation this time.
He’s one of three Irish players participating, but the sole one relying on a sponsor’s exemption. Rory McIlroy, a 2018 Bay Hill victor and Kurt Kitayama’s bridesmaid last year, will be returning, alongside Séamus Power, who earned his spot in all the major events this season with a top-50 result in last year’s FedEx Cup standings. Power will be seeking to outdo his performance from last year, where he landed in an underwhelming 72nd place.
Reports indicate that Scottie Scheffler, currently world’s number one golfer, is considering changing his putter prior to the upcoming tournament. Almost a year since his last PGA Tour victory, Scheffler has been spotted practicing with a TaylorMade Spider Tour X mallet putter, the same choice used by Rory McIlroy, signalling a shift from his usual blade style.
Meanwhile, Kitayama, last year’s API winner, has showcased noticeable continuity in his performance since donning the red cardigan awarded to the champion. Despite not having added a second title to his resume yet, the American golfer has made every cut since the Travelers Championship in June last year, with his most commendable performance being a tie for eighth place at the Phoenix Open.
Kitayama attributed his improved consistency to his new coach, Chris Como. Post changing coaches, his prime focus was to avoid inconsistent performance throughout the year. The constant cuts and some stellar early rounds, though not extraordinary, have positively impacted his confidence in the game. Kitayama feels that the switch has helped him to understand his swing better and limit significant misses.
Clearly, Bay Hill, hosting the upcoming tournament is one course that doesn’t relent on big misses. With three of the past four victors achieving single digits under par, even a slight miss can be punishing. However, Bryson DeChambeau defied this exception last year.
The golfing spectacle, Arnold Palmer Invitational, is set against the picturesque backdrop of Orlando, Florida and matures a purse of €18.5 million, with the champion getting a whopping €3.75 million of the total amount.
The golf course often referred to as “Arnie’s Place” due to its deep connections with Arnold Palmer, its former owner, is Bay Hill. This Arnold Palmer-stamped 7,466 yards, par 72 layout was fashioned by Dick Wilson and Joe Lee. Its noticeable water barriers significantly add to the course’s challenge. The last two holes usually produce thrilling tournament conclusions, which has been the case since 1979, the year it started hosting annually. The 17th hole, a par-three, stretches 221 yards from a high-situated tee to a green bordered by water on three sides and a considerable sand pit. The final 18th hole, a par-four, extends 458 yards and incorporates a slightly obscured tee shot to the fairway and an ambitious approach to a long, slim green with water as an additional hazard to the right.
The competition: The prestigious profile of this PGA Tour has grown with an enhanced prize purse and a limited number of players. Although LIV’s Jon Rahm is not participating, nine of the top ten global players will be contributing an exciting edge. Second-ranked Rory McIlroy gets another shot to overtake Scottie Scheffler and reach the top of the rankings. Tony Finau is the single qualified player who chose not to compete this week. American Kurt Kitayama is hoping to retain his champion status, while Cognizant Classic victor, Austin Eckroat, aims to continue his winning streak.
As the Olympic champion Xander Schauffele has noted, the multiple water obstacles combined with the winds can make the Bay Hill experience quite intimidating.
As for the Irish competitors, Séamus Power is slated to tee off in the first round with a congenial pairing with Tommy Fleetwood (5:40 Irish time). Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa are matched up (6:20 Irish time), and Shane Lowry will join Ludvig Åberg (6:30).
Scottie Scheffler, having secured positions of fourth, first, and fifteenth in his last three trips to Arnie’s Place, is leading the market with odds of 13-2. Rory McIlroy, who clinched victory in 2018 and was a close second last year, is set at 9-1 odds, known for his competitive edge on this course. Taking fourth place at the Genesis, and feeling under the weather in the final round, Patrick Cantlay has shown strong play but has failed to seal the deal, making him a worth-watching contender at 18-1 odds. Moreover, Matt Fitzpatrick at 28-1 is another player worth consideration. Lastly, Jason Day, with odds of 33-1, and Erik Van Rooyen at 66-1, present interesting each-way prospects.
For television viewers, catch the early coverage on Sky Sports Golf starting at 12.30 and on Sky Sports Main Event from 7.0.
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