The 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational Betting Favorite Juiced Up Parlay
What’s up, TJ gang?
Money Marg here and the Tour is at Bay Hill for the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational. This is the second stop of the Florida swing and as usual, the API will setup as one of the tougher tests of the season. Course history, long irons, around the green play, and guys who can deal with the wind seem to navigate the course best. DB, as usual, knocked it out of the park with his course breakdown. This year the purse will be huge and with a ton of FedEx points and major exemptions on the line, we should be in for a solid week of golf.
The Top of The 2024 API Betting Board
Who Wants Some Arnie Palmies?
Scottie and Rory, undeniably, are at the top of the betting board this week at Arnie’s place. Both are past champions and have the tee to green game to win anywhere and in difficult setups. Xander Schauffele comes in off a top-5 at Riviera and has proven to be a great putter on Bermuda. A shaky Viktor Hovland, Patrick Cantlay, and young gun Ludvig Aberg round out the top of the betting board this week in Orlando.
All have the skills and power to take home the trophy but this week I’m targeting a golfer who comes in under the radar and has been close here multiple times in the past.
OUR OUTRIGHT FAVORITE FOR THE Arnold Palmer
Viktor Hovland Wins the Red Cardigan at Bay Hill
Viktor Hovland is the guy this week at Bay Hill. He’s had a rough start to the season with duds at both The Sentry and Pebble Beach. His performance improved at Riviera, where he finished top-20 and gained strokes ball-striking and putting on the week. After taking two weeks off, he comes into the API as someone who’s finished top-10 in his last two visits. In addition, his performances at the Memorial and East Lake last season show what the Norwegian can do when he’s on.
Despite his poor form of late, Hovland comes into the week checking all the boxes over his last 24 rounds. He is top-5 in strokes gained off-the-tee, bogey avoidance, and putting. He also ranks 14th in the field in approach from 165-230, which will be the bulk of second shots this week.
While the course has played like a US Open in recent years, we aren’t expecting a super firm course and very windy conditions. This gives me confidence in Viktors aggressive style of play this week. Hammering the par-5’s will be critical for scoring in bunches. Confidence on the long Par-3’s with the ability to get up and down when needed will more than likely land you on the leaderboard. Vik rates out well in both areas. With five appearances now at the iconic venue, I like last year’s FedEx cup champ to take it home this week in the sunshine state.
Best Odds for Viktor Hovland to Win: +1800 on Fanduel
Cross Sport Pick to Parlay
The Juice this week takes us to South Beach for a MASSIVE card for UFC 299. The headliner will be “Sugar” Sean O’Malley and Marlon “Chito” Vera for the Bantamweight Title. Sugar Sean has been on an epic run in which his only loss came four years ago, being TKO’d by Vera. O’Malley has been on record saying he was injured during the fight but Vera took it home. Got to give the Ecuadorian credit where it’s deserved.
Both come into the fight off of impressive wins. O’Malley locked up the title in prime fashion, knocking out reigning champ Aljo Sterling. Vera closed out Pedro Munoz convincingly, lining up the rematch. While Chito Vera is going to be aggressive and should press O’Malley early, Sugar Sean is a much better fighter than he was their last match plus has the reach and height advantage. Sugar Sean will finish Vera in dramatic fashion by KO/TKO. He’s seen better fighters recently and has mastered his craft, while also having a major power advantage. Fireworks in Miami on Saturday. Hammer it home!
Best Odds for "Sugar" Sean O'Malley to win at UFC 299 by KO/TKO: +280 on Fanduel
The Juice of the Week: +5680 on FanDuel
Exciting week ahead and more to come as we look forward to a string of huge golf events, the NCAA Tourney, and a massive UFC 300 card next month. This week we get a big time course with a side of the flashiest knockout artist in the UFC. Fire up Viktor Hovland to win the API and a Sugar Sean KO/TKO at UFC 299.
In addition to the weekly Juice, be sure to stay up on all things Tour Junkies related. Check out the Tour Junkies Blog for weekly picks, our boy AK's Power Fades of the Week, golf insights, and gained leverage in the betting and DFS space. Well be back next week at TPC Sawgrass for the 2024 Players Championship!
Meet the Author:
Vincent Margiotta
Vince "Money Marg" Margiotta is a born and raised New Yorker from downtown Manhattan. Vince credits his love of golf and sports betting to his grandfather, whom he partnered with way back during his childhood to learn the game of golf and provide info and stats to support his grandfather's betting picks.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and commentary in this post belong to its author and do not necessarily represent the Tour Junkies as a whole.