Part of the allure of this week’s event is the namesake. Arnold Palmer is hovering around 86 years old but still has a lot of panache in him. A story got out about how Tiger Woods respected the elder statesman of golf to call him to inform Arnie that he would not be there. Sparse on details, the media decided to run with it and allude that the conversation was an hour long. Arnie blasts that “Who ever told you it was an hour is full of (bleep)!” These are the passions that are brought by Arnie and carried through the tourney that bears his name this weekend.
Elite Field
This is one of the stronger fields outside of a major that is assembled here in Orlando. How long will Rory live on reputation among the experts who peg him as one of the favorites? At least Henrik and Bubba are hot or won something as of late. Adam Scott and Rickie Fowler also look to have a good shot here. However, one must pay attention to the conditions of the greens here.
Attention Uh Next Week?!
Tournament officials know the greens are in dire condition but will not fix it until after the tourney. One person described it as a bad combover for his grandfather. This does two things. In sheer putting ability, it narrows the gap from the best to the least. Second, it rewards those that can scramble as the elite putters will suffer setbacks that those that grind it out do not. Think Reed staying in that playoff at the Valspar last weekend.
So the talent that is best on display here will be scrambling ability. Those that rely on one putt percentage for a good portion of their scoring will not do well here. Look to Kevin Na and Ian Poulter for round matchups as well as over all tourney head to heads. I would not take them in winner futures but if you want to plunk a wager, watch a round, and win a bet. Na to beat G. McDowell in the first round is the bet to go. Good Fortune and we will see you next week here at Apex Golf Betting.
