Fantasy Golf Picks: Arnold Palmer Invitational
Probably one of my favorite tournaments to watch on an annual basis, the Arnold Palmer Invitational is this week as the PGA Tour make its way to Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Florida. Six players in the FedEx Cup Top 10 will be in the field, along with three of the Top 10 overall players in the world (Woods, Mickelson, and McDowell). Defending champion Ernie Els makes his return to Bay Hill after winning in 2010, however has his play in 2011 earned a spot on your roster for the week? Read on to see who I am going with for the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
A List
Starter: Tiger Woods; Bench: Graeme McDowell
Wasn't it Albert Einstein who said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while hoping for a different result? This would probably be why I continue to start Tiger in almost every tournament he has played this season; I'm completely nuts. But, his track record in this event is downright legendary (having won 6 times) and his final round a couple weeks ago (66) was at least a good sign, right? Oh well; at least G-Mac continues to play well.
B List
Starters: Hunter Mahan, Charl Schwartzel; Bench: Justin Rose, Spencer Levin
Hunter Mahan seems to be telling a lot of "fishing stories" in 2011 about the one that "got away". He has been in contention on multiple Sundays this season already and I believe it is just a matter of time before he closes a tournament properly. Schwartzel is really playing great golf this season (along with Spencer Levin, for that matter) and has already tallied more than 40 Fantasy Golf points in the process. Justin Rose basically screwed the proverbial pooch last week after holding the 54-hole lead, but he has always been known as a streaky player and I am hoping it continues in Orlando. He'll be ready if needed.
C List
Starter: Aaron Baddeley; Bench: Gary Woodland
Badds has a win this year already (the Northern Trust Open) and will take his anti-Stack N' Tilt swing to Bay Hill with possibly more confidence in his game than he ever has in the past. Gary Woodland is a first-time addition to my roster this season, but in seven starts in 2011 he has logged 4 Top 10's and won last week's Transitions Championship.
