The API is always a fun tournament to watch. We have many big stars in the field, and Kurt Kitayama is back to defend his crown. Rounding out the field includes: World Number One Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Jordan Spieth, and many more. The field strength is that of a major, and I am excited to watch. The API is played at Bay Hill Club and Lodge, and is just shy of 7,500 yards. Bay Hill is always challenging, and this week will be no different. Tee shots are demanding, and the rough is rumored to be brutal this week, and very penal if in it. I look for ball strikers to rise to the top this weekend!
It has been a while since Webb Simpson has had much success on the PGA Tour, and I don’t see that changing this week at Bay Hill. He’s missed multiple cuts this year, and hasn’t played in over a month. I look for him to not be a factor at all this weekend!
Russell Henley burst onto the scene many years ago, and has proven he can win big events, like the now called Cognizant Classic. He has the ability to be one of the best ball strikers on tour when he is on, but the putter has always held him back. However, things have been different lately. He just gained over a stroke putting last week, and actually lost strokes on approach. If he rides a hot putter, and gains on approach like I expect him to, then he can be a factor this weekend!
Justin Thomas was trending in the right direction until his recent struggle at the Genesis, but I believe that to be a one off. I think a two week break was everything he needed to regain form and contend this weekend at API. JT was consistently gaining strokes around the green, as well as approach, every week until the Genesis, where he lost almost a full stroke. He has 3 top 12s this season because of his ball striking. If he regains his form this week and makes a few putts, then expect him to be inside the top 10 again and maybe even win!
Winner:
Scottie Scheffler. The Number One ranked player in the world is all that needs said. Everybody knows how good he can be when he’s on, and he’s searching for another win after winning the Hero World Challenge. We all know his struggles with the putter, but Scottie was seen messing with a mallet putter that Rory has been using. Could a putter change be in his future? Scottie is consistently gaining strokes on approach and off the tee, and with how brutal the rough can be this week, I want an excellent ball striker. If he has an average putting week, then it’s Scottie’s time once again!
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