⛳ Arnold Palmer Invitational Odds & Favorites 2026: Scheffler, McIlroy Lead Field

Russell Henley will prepare to defend his title at Bay Hill Club & Lodge this week, but he goes up against another elite 72-man Signature Event field, with Scottie Scheffler (+300) and Rory McIlroy (+960) the betting favorites by the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational odds.

Scheffler is a two-time champion of this event, and McIlroy won in 2018. Each of the top-10 golfers in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) is in the 72-man Arnold Palmer Invitational field. There will be a 36-hole cut this week.

🏆 Arnold Palmer Invitational outright odds: Favorites

Here are the betting favorites to win this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational, with odds via DraftKings. Top finish odds include ties. For the full-field odds from our best golf betting sites, scroll further down.

💰 Arnold Palmer Invitational pick to win: My first click

Stay tuned throughout the week for the rest of our golf picks.

Hideki Matsuyama (+3000 via DraftKings)

Hideki Matsuyama enters the week at No. 12 in the OWGR. While he's seventh on the outright oddsboard, I'm happy with the +3000 odds to win and would bet this number down to +2800 (3.45% implied win probability).

Matsuyama finished just T-28 in The Genesis for his worst result through five events this year. He previously hadn't finished outside the top this season, and he has a strong history at Bay Hill with four finishes of T-22 or better in his past five trips to Orlando.

His approach game is sharp and he ranks second on Tour this season in bogey avoidance, with only 30 through 360 holes played.

💡 How I'm betting the Arnold Palmer Invitational

The Arnold Palmer Invitational just might be my favorite Signature Event on the PGA Tour. I love the course setup and the multiple ways by which to attack each hole, as well as the challenges of the firm and fast putting surfaces. 

As such, I tend to raise my betting budget this week while keeping bankroll management front of mind. It's another Signature Event, so I don't want to overexpose myself to any one golfer, and will be looking for ways to get some action on Scheffler as a partial hedge.

The past 10 winning scores have ranged from -4 to -18. Only three of the past eight champions of this event had odds longer than +2500, so I'll be sticking mostly to the favorites in the outright market and will look to back long shots in the form of top 10 or top 20 bets.

I'll also be monitoring the Players Championship odds throughout the week, and looking to get ahead with any outright bets as this week's leaderboard takes shape.

Course info

Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge has lent itself to a variety of golfer profiles in recent years. From Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau's raw power to Russell Henley's precision ball striking last year. The winning profile has shifted toward accuracy off the tee, but approach shots remain the key to key success, especially from the key range of 175-200 yards.

The greens are firm and among the fastest on the PGA Tour's regular rotation. Water is abundant, making bogey avoidance among my key stats for the week.

Key stats

Here are the key stats I use to handicap Arnold Palmer Invitational, and the weight I give to each stat this week:

• Strokes gained: approach (40%)
• Strokes gained: off-the-tee (30%)
• Proximity from 175-200 yards (20%)
• Bogey avoidance (10%)

📊 Full-field Arnold Palmer Invitational odds

Live Arnold Palmer Invitational odds update in real time.

⛳ Arnold Palmer Invitational tournament info

• Where: Bay Hill Club & Lodge (Orlando)
• When: Thursday, March 5 - Sunday, March 8
• Field: 72
• Cut: 36 holes (top 50 and ties, and anyone within 10 strokes of the lead)
• Favorite: Scottie Scheffler (+300 via DraftKings)
• Defending champion: Russell Henley
• Purse: $20 million
• FedEx Cup points: 700

📜 Arnold Palmer Invitational betting history

Here are the recent winners of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando. Historical golf odds via GolfOdds.com:

❓ Arnold Palmer Invitational FAQs

Who is favored to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational?

Scottie Scheffler is the outright betting favorite for the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational with odds of +300 via DraftKings, representing an implied win probability of 25% in the 72-man field. He's seeking a third career win in this event.

Who won the Arnold Palmer Invitational last year?

Russell Henley won last year's Arnold Palmer Invitational and the $4 million first-place prize.

Where is the Arnold Palmer Invitational?

The Arnold Palmer Invitational is played annually at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando.

When is the Arnold Palmer Invitational?

The 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational will be played from Thursday, March 5 through Sunday, March 8.

Is there a cut in the Arnold Palmer Invitational?

Yes, the Arnold Palmer Invitational is one of three Signature Events that feature a 36-hole cut (The Genesis Invitational and the Memorial Tournament). The top 50 (and ties) as well as anyone within 10 strokes of the lead after 36 holes will advance to play the weekend.