Scheffler and McIlroy Lead the Charge at the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational
The 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational is set to tee off this Thursday, with Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy as the clear favorites to claim the iconic red cardigan and the $20 million purse. The PGA Signature Event will capture place at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida.
The Favorites
Scottie Scheffler, currently the World No. 1 golfer, leads the odds at +340 as of March 3, 2026. He previously won the tournament in 2022 and 2024, and despite a T-11 finish in 2025, remains a formidable contender. Scheffler’s performance demonstrates his consistency and skill on the course.
Rory McIlroy, the second-ranked golfer in the world, follows closely with odds of +1000. McIlroy won the title in 2018 and finished T15 in the 2025 invitational. He will be looking to add another victory to his impressive career.
Contenders and Dark Horses
Tommy Fleetwood is also a strong contender with odds of +1900, followed by Matt Fitzpatrick, Collin Morikawa, and Xander Schauffele, all at +2500. Russell Henley, the reigning champion, has odds of +2700.
Other players with notable odds include Hideki Matsuyama (+3000), Si Woo Kim (+3300), Patrick Cantlay (+3300), Cameron Young (+3300), Robert MacIntyre (+3500), and Ludvig Åberg (+3500).
The Reigning Champion
Russell Henley won the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational, rallying with a 2-under 70 to edge out Collin Morikawa. However, the odds suggest a challenging repeat performance, with his current odds at +2700. The last player to win back-to-back titles at Bay Hill was Matt Every in 2014 and 2015, with Tiger Woods also achieving this feat in 2012 and 2013.
Odds Board (March 3, 2026)
- Scottie Scheffler: +340
- Rory McIlroy: +1000
- Tommy Fleetwood: +1900
- Matt Fitzpatrick: +2500
- Collin Morikawa: +2500
- Xander Schauffele: +2500
- Russell Henley: +2700
- Hideki Matsuyama: +3000
- Si Woo Kim: +3300
- Patrick Cantlay: +3300
- Cameron Young: +3300
- Robert MacIntyre: +3500
- Ludvig Åberg: +3500
- Ben Griffin: +4000
- Chris Gotterup: +4000
- Jake Knapp: +4000
- Kurt Kitayama: +4000
- Harris English: +4000
- Viktor Hovland: +4000
- Shane Lowry: +4000
- Rickie Fowler: +4500
- Sam Burns: +4500
- Adam Scott: +4500
- Justin Rose: +5000
- Maverick McNealy: +5000
- Justin Thomas: +5500
- Jason Day: +5500
- Sepp Straka: +5500