The 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational begins this Thursday in Orlando, and this year’s signature event promises to be a high-octane continuation of the PGA Tour’s Florida Swing, with world number one Scottie Scheffler leading a stacked field at Bay Hill Club & Lodge that also features Rory McIlroy and defending champion Russell Henley.
Get involved with our betting tips for the event, and find out how you can receive over £170 in free bets via sign-up offers from the UK’s best betting sites.
Arnold Palmer Invitational extra places & free bets
It comes as no surprise to see Scottie Scheffler installed as the clear favourite to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational, with the world number one looking to claim a historic third title at Bay Hill and trading as short as 3/1 across most UK betting sites.
Sky Bet is offering a huge 12 each-way places for the action in Florida, providing a massive safety net for bettors navigating the notoriously difficult layout.
If the extra places aren’t enough of an incentive, the sign-up value is hard to ignore. When you join Sky Bet, a magnificently small amount of just £0.05 qualifying bet unlocks £30 in free bets, giving you plenty of ammunition to support talented outsiders like Ludvig Åberg and Harris English at much more attractive prices.
| Golf Betting Sites | Extra each-way places | Arnold Palmer Invitational betting offers |
| Sky Bet | 12 | £30 in free bets – when you place any bet |
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Arnold Palmer Invitational Betting Offers T&Cs
- Sky Bet: New customers only. First single & E/W bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 X £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. Free bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply. 18+. GambleAware.org #ad
- BoyleSports: 18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply.
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Arnold Palmer Invitational golf betting tips
McIlroy can showcase his best golf
Few players in world golf possess a résumé at Bay Hill quite as dazzling as Rory McIlroy, and the Northern Irishman looks poised to launch a serious assault on the title at ‘Arnie’s Place’ this week.
While the previous example focused on consistency and scrambling, McIlroy’s case is built on pure dominance of the layout. This course is effectively tailor-made for his high-launching, aggressive game; his ability to decimate the par-fives gives him a distinct statistical advantage before a ball is even struck. Since hoisting the trophy here in 2018, he has practically lived on the leaderboard, proving that his towering iron shots are the perfect antidote to the venue’s famously firm and fast putting surfaces.
Where others are intimidated by the thick rough and perilous water hazards, McIlroy’s supreme driving distance allows him to cut corners and attack flags that the rest of the field simply cannot reach.
With his game trending sharply in the right direction, he stands out as the undisputed man to beat. At odds of around 10/1 with bookmakers like William Hill and bet365, he represents the gold standard this week and looks ready to add another red cardigan to his wardrobe with a commanding performance.
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English can upset the favourites this weekend
If you are looking for a genuine dark horse who thrives when the going gets tough, Harris English is the standout value play at Bay Hill this week.
While the market obsesses over the very top of the board, English has been quietly compiling a rock-solid start to his 2026 campaign. He arrives in Florida off the back of four consecutive top-30 finishes, including a gritty T22 at the Genesis Invitational and a T24 at Pebble Beach. He is arguably the most in-form player currently flying completely under the radar.
Bay Hill is often described as a “US Open style” test due to its thick rough and firm greens, and that suits English’s grinding mentality down to the ground. He proved exactly that when finishing runner-up here in 2023 and claiming a ninth-place finish in 2020. He is one of the best putters on tour and possesses the patience required to par this course to death while others self-destruct.
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Echavarria aiming for another big upset
For those willing to take a swing at astronomical odds, Nico Echavarria emerges as the fascinating wildcard in this field.
While the headlines focus on the titans at the top of the market, the Colombian has quietly developed into a dangerous operator on Bermuda grass layouts. Unlike the grinders who rely on fairways and greens, Echavarria’s game is built on fierce scoring bursts and elite touch around the greens—skills that are absolutely critical when Bay Hill’s wind starts to swirl and the greens bake out.
He is completely ignored by the bookmakers at a price of 90/1, yet his ability to get scorching hot with the flat stick makes him a massive threat in the ‘Top 20’ or ‘Top South American’ markets. We have seen him take down PGA Tour events before when his rhythm clicks, and his aggressive style is arguably better suited to a high-variance shootout than a conservative slog.
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