March 3, 2026
Jordan Spieth is an intriguing golfer for this weekend's Arnold Palmer Invitational. The American has gained the third most amount of strokes when it comes to ball striking. Spieth has had three Top 30 results in four events in 2026. However, it can be anyone's guess how Spieth fares this week at Bay Hill. Even Spieth would say that. Still, the putter has been very good ranking 13th in strokes gained (0.862). Furthermore, Spieth is one of the best in 2026 in putts per round for Round 1 (27). If there are good odds on a first round leader, the American may be worth a look. Spieth is capable of firing in a 67 or 68 on Thursday but after that, DFS or betting options are more volatile.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
March 3, 2026
Harry Hall had his weekend cut short for the second time in 2026. The English golfer shot a Friday 74 at The Genesis Invitational. It was the same pattern as we saw at the WM Phoenix Open where Hall just could not make enough birdies. A big problem for Hall is that second round where he averages 30.2 putts per round. Worse, he cannot get shots close to the green on approaches. Hall ranks 170th on tour in proximity from greater than 200 yards. He only reaches 68.06% of greens in regulation (104th). Despite a solid putter, Hall truly has been up and down the past four events. He could be a great flier to take in DFS formats or for a Top 20 bet at Bay Hill.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
March 3, 2026
Ryan Gerard plays well enough to contend in events. The American golfer had consecutive runner-up results in January but has had a tough time starting tournaments since. The last three began 72-72-73. While this is not terrible, Gerard has had to play catch-up too often. He now ranks 123rd on tour in putts per round 1 at 29.67. That is a full putt above his average. Also, overall he is 14th in scoring average at 68.33 mostly on the strength of his January start. Thursday may be vital for him at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Gerard makes for a nice weekend option in DFS especially, however.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
March 3, 2026
From a tee to green perspective, Patrick Cantlay has been as solid as ever. He ranks 23rd in strokes gained tee to green (+0.983) this season, but has lost an average of -0.240 strokes gained putting. It's really been the one spot holding him back for much of the last couple of years. It hasn't kept him from high finishes, but he hasn't won since 2022. Luckily, Bay Hill can lend itself to more consistent ball striking and short game prowess, rather than making a ton of putts. The 33-year-old is the third-best player in proximity from over 200 yards, with a strokes gained average per shot of +0.150. Given this strength, it is surprising to see that he is the worst on par-5 scoring and birdie average than the other holes. He'll need to improve there to have a chance this week, and while he's usually a name that commands a healthy amount of attention, DFS players could be better off looking elsewhere, considering his price tag.
--Todd McGillSource: Data Golf
March 3, 2026
Jason Day was enjoying a solid start to the 2026 season. The Australian golfer almost won The American Express with a runner-up result. A couple weeks ago Day missed the cut at The Genesis Invitational after a 73-74 start. Day could not get off the tees far enough accurately and the birdie opportunities just did not fall. Day is still averaging 296.9 yards off the tee (142nd) with accuracy under 60% at 59. 69%. Approach and proximity are important at the Arnold Palmer. Bay Hill is a long course at 7,454 yards. This includes five Par 4's all longer than 450 yards. Day might be someone to stay away from in betting circles this weekend.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
March 3, 2026
Jacob Bridgeman comes off an impressive win at The Genesis Invitational. The young American golfer has been on fire with his putter gaining a tour-leading 1.276 strokes. Furthermore, Bridgeman is gaining almost across the board on all major metrics in 2026. That includes a surprising 15th in greens in regulation at 74.17%. Bridgeman's nerves do seem to tighten up on Sunday's though as he averages 29.8 putts per round. He finished T-15 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last year where Bridgeman got better as the event went on. Bridgeman remains a solid DFS threat for this weekend and even into the weekend.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
March 3, 2026
Russell Henley fell behind early at The Genesis Invitational after an opening-round 76, ultimately missing the cut by two strokes. He now returns to the Arnold Palmer Invitational to defend his 2025 title, where he won by one stroke over Collin Morikawa. Henley was solid throughout the bag in the victory, especially around the greens (+6.38 strokes gained) and with the putter (+3.61). This season, he ranks 38th in total strokes gained (+0.872 per round) and 29th on approach (+0.526), though there have been some concerns. He sits only 106th around the green (-0.054) and has struggled with long-iron proximity, ranking 149th from 175-200 yards (37'8") and 102nd from 200-plus (52'0"), key distances that accounted for nearly 50% of approach shots here last year. With three top-19 finishes before the missed cut and a strong course history at Bay Hill, Henley profiles as a solid bounce-back candidate at $9,400 on DraftKings, though, with slightly more risk than what would normally be expected.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
March 2, 2026
A T6 finish last week for Nicolai Hojgaard was a solid accomplishment after making the cut on the number on Friday. Rounds of 66-65 on the weekend earned the Dane his third top 10 in his last four starts. He has missed the cut in both career appearances at the Arnold Palmer Invitational; however, he looks primed to change that this week. He hasn't struck the ball as well with his long irons as others throughout his bag, but his overall ability from tee to green vastly outshines that lone hiccup. He's currently the sixth-ranked player on the PGA Tour in strokes gained from tee to green (+1.681). Perhaps the biggest question is whether he can hang around on a more demanding golf course that is more about limiting mistakes than going pedal to the metal. Play him with confidence.
--Todd McGillSource: PGA Tour
March 2, 2026
There isn't much to say about what happened to Shane Lowry on Sunday at the Cognizant Classic. It was a bit unbelievable to watch in the moment, undoubtedly more so to be living it. The only thing the 38-year-old can do is move forward, and the look ahead to another week is the one constant (whether good or bad) that players can count on. He comes to Bay Hill having finished solo third and solo seventh in the last two years. Regardless of what happened in the Palm Beaches, Lowry is still an elite long iron player, ranking in the 95th percentile in strokes gained per approach shot over 200 yards (+0.127). His accuracy off the tee always gives him a chance around Arnie's place. The putter has also cooperated since coming to the States, averaging +0.733 strokes gained on the greens. Obviously, it's hard to know his headplace since leaving PGA National, but the stats give him as good a chance as any this week.
--Todd McGillSource: Data Golf
March 2, 2026
Matt Fitzpatrick finished tied for 24th at the Genesis Invitational two weeks ago and will now prepare for this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida. Fitzpatrick now has three straight top-25 finishes and will look to rely on his strong approach play this week. He's gained strokes on approach in all four of his starts this season and has only lost strokes off the tee in one of those starts. Over the past 12 months, Fitzpatrick ranks in the 38th percentile in greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth mentioning because, at last year's Arnold Palmer Invitational, over 37% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
March 2, 2026
Keegan Bradley missed the cut at the Genesis Invitational two weeks ago and will need to find his approach game to compete at Bay Hill. Bradley has lost strokes on approach in three of his four starts this season. Bradley finished tied for fifth at Bay Hill in 2025 and tied for 36th in 2024. Over the past 12 months, Bradley ranks in the 44th percentile in greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth noting because, at last year's Arnold Palmer Invitational, over 37% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 25, 2026
After a begrudging time on the West Coast, Keith Mitchell is now entering the Florida swing of the schedule. For much of his career, he has performed better on this side of the country, where he is much more comfortable on and around the greens. The former Georgia Bulldog has notoriously performed better on bermuda and bentgrass putting surfaces. He'll be looking to lean on that experience to turn around the -0.524 strokes gained putting to start this season. If his dominance on the tee (16th in strokes gained off the tee for the season) and serviceable iron play continue, look for Killa Keith to make a decent impact this week.
--Todd McGillSource: PGA Tour
February 25, 2026
Chris Kirk has struggled to start the year, recording three missed cuts and a T52 finish in his first four events. He now turns to the Cognizant Classic, a familiar spot where he has played 14 times, making 10 cuts with six top-30 finishes and a victory in 2023. His best results at PGA National have come when his approach play and putting are at their best. Kirk currently ranks 107th in total strokes gained (-0.472 per round), though he has been great with his irons, sitting 13th on approach (+0.766), while the putter sits at 114th (-0.332). Despite the slow start to the season, strong ball striking at a course where he has already won could provide the formula needed for a turnaround this week.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
February 25, 2026
It's been a few weeks since we last saw Brooks Koepka on the PGA Tour stage, after he unexpectedly missed the cut in his last outing at the WM Phoenix Open. Putting has been a struggle for the 35-year-old, as he has lost over 12 shots on the greens in his first six rounds of 2026. Everything else has been okay for the five-time major winner, ranking 11th on the season in strokes gained from tee to green (+1.317). Koepka is in the field this week at PGA National for the eighth time in his career, with a T2 in 2019 being his best finish. He hasn't been that successful outside of that year, other than a T16 in his last season before jumping to LIV. As many expect the former Seminole to return to the expected level of play, there needs to be a better show of consistency and grit before considering him for DFS purposes.
--Todd McGillSource: Data Golf
February 25, 2026
Since missing the cut at The American Express, Mackenzie Hughes has posted solid results of T59, T28 and T34 in his last three starts. He now heads to the Cognizant Classic, where he has made seven appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2020, but also a missed cut last year. Hughes' success at PGA National has closely correlated with his putting, and while he ranks 115th on Tour in strokes gained putting (-0.337 per round), the move to Florida should help. He is far more comfortable on Bermuda greens, where he ranks 18th-best in the field this week. He is also 66th in total strokes gained (+0.357) and 80th on approach (+0.075), major contributing factors this week. With good recent form and a putting surface that better suits his game, Hughes offers a solid floor at $7,500 on DraftKings for fantasy managers considering the Canadian.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
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