15 Mar

2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational predictions, picks, odds, field rankings, golf best bets for Bay Hill

The PGA Tour calendar heats up entering March as the Florida Swing continues its path this week at the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational. Kicking off a crucial two-week stretch for competitors, the Arnold Palmer Invitational will present a stern test at Bay Hill as competitors compete in the fourth signature event of the season.

Unlike some of the others, the Arnold Palmer Invitational will feature a cut to the top 50 players and ties as well as those within 10 strokes of the lead at the halfway point.

A player who may not need to worry about his status on the cutline Friday evening is the man who has seemingly done no wrong at Bay Hill the last three seasons. Scottie Scheffler enters an important run of tournaments, serving as the defending champion not only this week but also next week at the Players Championship.

Twice a winner at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the world No. 1 looks to slip up his third red cardigan in the last four seasons. Scheffler has won four times in the state of Florida the last three years and will hope the good vibes of the Sunshine State can assist him after an up-and-down West Coast Swing.

Scheffler is joined in the field by the usual suspects such as Rory McIlroy, who will attempt to keep his patience in check at a water-riddled golf course, as well as world No. 3 Xander Schauffele. The start represents Schauffele’s first since the PGA Tour’s opening weekend after he was sidelined due to a rib injury and missed usual stops on the calendar throughout the PGA Tour’s time in California.

Schauffele will not have much time to play himself back into competitive form as only two or three tournaments separate him (and the rest of the big names) from the first tee at Augusta National.

Winners already this season like Ludvig Åberg, Hideki Matsuyama and Sepp Straka look to become the first multiple-time winners this year, while Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood, Patrick Cantlay, Sungjae Im, Russell Henley and Sam Burns all look to enter the winner’s circle for the first time in a long time.

2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational schedule
Dates: March 6-9
Location: Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge — Orlando, Florida
Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,466
Purse: $20,000,000

2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational field, odds
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook

Scottie Scheffler (7/2)
Rory McIlroy (15/2): A convergence of course history and good form are in line to collide this week for McIlroy. The 2018 champion was brilliant in California where he notched a victory at Pebble Beach and another contention run at Torrey Pines. His driver continues to separate him from fields, and that will be crucial for his chances this week as his new-found patience will be tested at a course like Bay Hill. McIlroy has four top 10s in his last six tournament appearances including a runner up in 2023.
Ludvig Åberg (16-1): Take away a few rounds of golf where Aberg was dealing with an illness, and he has been nothing short of spectacular. A Sunday 66 saw him steal the Genesis Invitational for the biggest title of his young career, and that confidence can only do him well from here on out. He has a pair of top 25s at this venue thanks to a subtle love affair with these greens; he has averaged more than one strokes gained per round with the putter across eight rounds.
Xander Schauffele (18-1): He is the biggest question mark among the top players simply because he has not been seen in a competitive tournament since the first week of the year. Schauffele returns to action at an unforgiving Bay Hill, which will put his game through the ringer and test the entirety of his skillset — something that should serve him well heading into the Masters. However, even when he has played himself into this tournament, Schauffele has struggled as he has zero top 20s in three attempts.
Collin Morikawa (22-1)
Tommy Fleetwood (25-1)
Justin Thomas (28-1): There were some really positive signs from Thomas across the first two months of the season. He ranked second in strokes gained approach behind only Fleetwood and fifth in strokes gained tee to green. That’s fantastic, but the bigger cause for optimism is what he is doing on the greens. The two-time major champion has gained strokes putting in four of five events — a massive improvement for someone who was a bottom-10 putter on the PGA Tour last season.
Hideki Matsuyama (28-1): Matsuyama has rattled off three top-25 finishes since his record-setting win at the Sentry as his iron play remains sharp and his putter surprisingly cooperative. What has held him back, however, has been the big stick; the man from Japan has struggled to hit fairways with any sort of consistency. If he can find the short grass off the tee, he can find the winner’s circle, but that might be a big if.
Patrick Cantlay (30-1)
Sungjae Im (40-1)
2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational predictions

player headshot
Scottie Scheffler
Winner (7/2): It wasn’t an ideal start to his comeback, but Scheffler showed enough to warrant consideration at a golf course at which he has done no wrong. He has lost to just three players across the last three seasons at Bay Hill as his T4 in 2023 sandwiched his two victories. The world No. 1 looks comfortable with the putter in hand, has flashed enough with his ball striking and remains the best course manager in the game.

player headshot
Patrick Cantlay
Contender (30-1): Bay Hill is an all-around test, which is right up Cantlay’s alley. The American ranks inside the top 25 in each strokes-gained metric so far this season, which has led to a couple top-five finishes including his last start at Torrey Pines. After a down year with the putter in 2024, Cantlay has come roaring back on the greens in the early stages of 2025.

player headshot
Sepp Straka
Sleeper (70-1): When are people going to put some respect on Straka’s name? The big Austrian ranks seventh in total strokes gained, eighth in strokes gained approach and ninth in strokes gained tee to green among those in this field. While he may not have the pop off the tee like his counterparts, he makes up for it with his accuracy where he ranks fourth. In his last five starts, Straka has a win and three other top-15 finishes.
Who will win the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and which longshots will stun the golfing world? Visit SportsLine now to see the projected leaderboard and best bets, all from the model that’s nailed 13 golf majors and is up over $9,000 since June 2020.

15 Mar

Top PGA predictions, expert golf betting advice

The PGA Tour continues on its Florida swing this week with the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational in the Orlando starting on Thursday, March 6. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler is back to defend his title, and is listed as the +320 (risk $100 to win $320) favorite in the latest 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational odds. Other top contenders in the 2025 Arnold Palmer field include Rory McIlroy (+750), Ludvig Aberg (+1600), Xander Schauffele (+1600), Collin Morikawa (+2200), Hideki Matsuyama (+2500), and Justin Thomas (+2800). The 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational is the fourth signature event of the PGA Tour season, and has a purse of $20 million. The winner will take home $4 million and 700 FedEx Cup points.

With this week’s tournament being a signature event, it is imperative to nail your 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational one and done picks. Should you use this event to target a favorite like Scheffler, McIlroy, or Schauffele? Would it make sense to take a long shot like Viktor Hovland (55-1) or Wyndham Clark (60-1)? Before locking in your 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational one and done picks, you need to see what SportsLine DFS pro and PGA expert Mike McClure has to say.

The One and Done format is growing in popularity. It has several noticeable similarities to NFL Survivor pools, with the main difference being entries are not eliminated with a bad week. Players pick one golfer per week and earn points based on their selected golfer’s prize money for that tournament. Golfers can only be used once per season, and the point format makes nailing majors and big money tournaments critical.

McClure is a DFS legend with over $2 million in career winnings, and he’s been red-hot on his PGA picks dating back to the PGA Tour restart in June of 2020. McClure uses his proprietary simulation model to analyze the field and crush his golf picks. In fact, the model is up more than $9,500 on its best bets since June 2020, nailing tournament after tournament.

This same model has also nailed a whopping 13 majors entering the weekend, including the 2024 Masters — its third Masters in a row — and last year’s PGA Championship and U.S. Open. Anyone who has followed its sports betting picks could have seen massive returns on betting apps like FanDuel, DraftKings and Fanatics.

McClure has been nailing his One and Done picks for the last two years, correctly calling Nick Taylor’s epic win at the RBC Canadian Open, as well as Scottie Scheffler’s and Jon Rahm’s victories as the Masters.

More recently, at last week’s Genesis Invitational, a Signature PGA Tour event, McClure’ top One and Done pick, Ludvig Aberg, outlasted the field for an outright win. The 26-year-old took home a massive $3.6 million payday for himself and gave his OAD backers a huge bump in their pool’s standings.

Now, McClure has dialed in on the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament and just locked in his one and done picks and PGA predictions. They are a must-see for any player looking for an edge in their One and Done pool. You can only see McClure’s Arnold Palmer Invitational one and done picks at SportsLine.

Top 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational One and Done picks
One of McClure’s top One and Done picks for the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational is Justin Thomas. The 31-year-old has two major championships and a total of 15 career PGA Tour victories on his professional resume. Thomas has been red-hot in 2025, posting three top-10 finishes in five starts. His best finish came at The American Express where he finished in second place.

Thomas has long been one of the most talented golfers in the world, and he enters this week ranked highly in several key metrics. He currently ranks fifth on the PGA Tour in strokes gained on approach shots (1.045), sixth in strokes gained tee-to-green (1.259), and seventh in total strokes gained (1.476). As one of the most accomplished players in the field, McClure is expecting Thomas to be in contention until the end this weekend. You can see who else to back at SportsLine.

How to make Arnold Palmer Invitational 2025 One and Done picks
McClure is also targeting another golfer for his 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational one and done picks who was outstanding throughout the 2024 season and is a 90-1 longshot. This player has championship pedigree and has the ability to win any tournament he enters. You can find out who it is, and check out all of McClure’s Arnold Palmer Invitational one and done picks at SportsLine.

Who wins the the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2025, and which golfers should you target for your PGA one and done picks this week? Visit SportsLine now to get Mike McClure’s Arnold Palmer Invitational 2025 one and done picks, all from the DFS pro who nailed Ludvig Aberg’s outright win at the Genesis Invitational, and find out.

Where to bet on PGA Tour golf
Here are some of the sportsbooks to bet on PGA Tour tournaments, along with the various Golf sportsbook promos they currently offer.

15 Mar

2025 TGL golf schedule, results, format, rosters, where to watch regular-season finale with Tiger Woods

The TGL golf league — helmed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy — wraps up its inaugural regular season on Tuesday when Woods’ Jupiter Links Golf Club takes on the Atlanta Drive in the final match. Woods will star alongside Tom Kim and Max Homa for a squad that is already eliminated from postseason contention with its 1-3-0 record.

Meanwhile, Atlanta Drive may be able to improve its seeding but it will not be able to change its semifinal opponent. Billy Horschel, Lucas Glover and Nick Dunlap (who was signed to a 10-day contract) enter the bout with a 3-1-0 record and are locked into playing The Bay Golf Club in the first round of the playoffs.

On the other side of the bracket, regular season champions Los Angeles Golf Club will take on New York Golf Club who scored a victory over Boston Common Golf on Monday night to not only eliminate Boston but also Jupiter Links.

Enhanced simulator golf matches will last roughly two hours taking place primarily in primetime on either Monday or Tuesday nights from January through March. There will be 15 regular-season matches, a four-team playoff and a best-of-three finals that will crown the first TGL champion.

Matches will be played over 15 holes and split up into two playing formats. The first session will see teams work together in an alternate shot-style format before transitioning to singles matches for the second session. The team with the most points at the end of the match will win. Similar to hockey, TGL match wins are worth two points, overtime losses are worth one point and regulation losses are worth zero points.

Where to watch TGL
Date: Tuesday, Mar. 4 | Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Center — Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
TV: ESPN | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)

TGL format
TGL matches will take place across 15 holes and two sessions. Players will hit full-swing shots off grass, rough or sand into a simulator screen with short-game shots under 50 yards and putts taking place inside the SoFi Center on a rotating, adjustable green. There are a few added wrinkles as well including timeouts, a shot clock and a hammer, so let’s dive into them all.

Holes Nos. 1-9 — Triples (3 vs. 3 alternate shot): Two teams of three will face off in alternate shot across the first session. Let’s say Fowler hits the tee shot on No. 1. Fitzpatrick will then hit the approach shot and Schauffele will strike the first putt. This rotation will continue until the hole is complete.

Holes Nos. 10-15 — Singles (head-to-head play): After nine holes of Triples, players will take to Singles, which is exactly what it sounds like. An individual from one team will play a hole against an individual from the other with the winner earning a point. All three players will play a hole before the cycle begins again on hole Nos. 13-15.

Overtime: 3 vs. 3 closet-to-the-pin competition

Scoring: Each hole is worth one point with ties worth zero. There are no carryovers.

The Hammer: Each hole in a TGL match is worth one point unless a team decides to literally throw the “hammer” (not an actual hammer), which doubles the point value of that hole. A team can either accept the hammer and play that hole for two points or deny it and concede the hole. Each time has three hammers to use throughout the match.

Shot clock: Players will have 40 seconds to hit their shots or face a one-stroke penalty.

Timeouts: Each team has four timeouts per match — two in Triples and two in Singles. There are no carryovers from session to session.

28 Dec

Lakers could acquire Joel Embiid by parting with clutch $54 million wing

“The Sixers trading an all-time great big man to the Lakers,” Hoops Habit’s Zach Ciavolella wrote Wednesday.

“It wouldn’t be the first time. In 1958, after Wilt Chamberlain demanded a trade from Philadelphia (76ers), the Sixers traded one of the game’s greatest talents to Los Angeles for Archie Clark, Darrell Imhoff, Jerry Chambers, and cash considerations.”

“It didn’t exactly ‘work out’, trading a generational superstar rarely does, but Archie Clark and Darrell Imhoff were both effective players for the Sixers in their time, but no one could live up to Wilt.”

“That is likely to be the case with a Joel Embiid trade, but in the scenario that Philadelphia does not hold leverage, as would be the case in a trade demand, it’s certainly a likely possibility.”

“The Lakers have been speculated to be in the center market for what feels like years. Anthony Davis does not like playing center, as he has made quite clear on multiple occasions.”

“With their window clearly closing, the time to act is now. While a front court of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Joel Embiid is not the most modern NBA lineup, its talent is undeniable.”

“Los Angeles will be operating under the tax heading into next offseason, giving the team increased flexibility under the modern CBA. The same can be said of Philadelphia, allowing for far smoother and versatile negotiations.”

“The Lakers will retain the contracts of Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, and Jared Vanderbilt through the offseason, giving a fair amount of matching salary to pair with the true prize for Philadelphia, draft picks.”

“After the 2025 NBA Draft, the Lakers will be able to trade two unprotected first-round picks, one in 2029 and the other in 2031, along with three first-round swaps in 2028, 2030, and 2032.”

“Not that the Sixers could bleed them dry of their draft assets, but that is what is in the war chest.”

Judging by Embiid’s troubling start to his ninth NBA season, the 7-foot center could use a change of scenery in the offseason.

Staying healthy has been a significant issue for Embiid this year. Due to a lower body setback, the two-time scoring champion has only participated in 22% of the 76ers’ regular season contests.

Embiid averages 22 points in five appearances, but his miserable shooting splits suggest he isn’t his usual dominant self.

Still, the seven-time All-Star’s convincing low-post moves, pick-and-pop ability, and underrated handle near the free-throw line area may intrigue the Lakers during the next free-agency period.

While Reaves has proven to be a clutch wing who will take and make difficult jumpers, the Lakers would likely include him in a trade package for Embiid if they were nearing a deal with the 76ers.

28 Dec

Timberwolves cut ties with struggling $46 million guard in proposed trade with Grizzlies

While Randle has been playing well for Minnesota, DiVincenzo hasn’t fit in with the Wolves. His scoring is down nearly 50% (8.6 points from 15.5 last season). After shooting 40% from three last season, it is down to 32%. He doesn’t seem comfortable in Minnesota. While he still has some stock, he could be included in a deal as the team is expected to be active trying to improve their chances to push for the playoffs.

A recent projected trade from Fadeaway World has the Wolves trading away the struggling guard DiVincenzo to the Memphis Grizzlies for Luke Kennard, Jay Huff, and a future second-round pick.

This trade gives both teams what they need in the simplest form. The Grizzlies get a defensive-minded guard that is capable of knocking down the open three. He would also bring some playoff experience to a young Memphis team.

For Minnesota, this trade gives them one of the most efficient three-point shooters in the NBA. Kennard is shooting 40% from three. He would provide an outside threat coming off the bench to help attribute more scoring to the second unit. He is nowhere near the defender DiVincenzo is, but it trades off with his shooting ability.

It’s by no means a blockbuster deal, but a small deal that could make a difference for both teams. The Grizzlies make a deal to help them take the next step to compete at the top of the West. Minnesota makes a deal to bring in some shooting and part ways with a player that hasn’t fit their team chemistry.

28 Dec

76ers may surprisingly reunite with sharpshooter to aid offensive struggles

Philadelphia is third-to-last in three-point shooting percentage, shooting 32.1% from distance.

One team they could look at as a trade partner to improve in that department is the Charlotte Hornets. Even if things haven’t gone the way the Sixers had planned, the Hornets have been worse, as their 7-17 record puts them as the No. 13 seed in the Eastern Conference.

If things don’t look up, Philadelphia could consider bringing back Seth Curry. Curry doesn’t have a prominent role in the Hornets’ rotation but has been consistently featured because he brings shooting to the table.

Curry is shooting 44.4% from three this season, proving he is still the dead-eye shooter he was when he was with Philadelphia. If they re-acquired him, he would be of great use.

How the Sixers could bring Curry back
Curry will make over $2 million this season, so making the contracts work in a trade would be a cinch. The following trade could happen between the two sides.

Sixers receive: Curry

Hornets receive: Reggie Jackson, 2027 Second-Round Pick

Charlotte may drive a harder bargain because Curry’s shooting is still an asset, and Jackson hasn’t done much with the Sixers. Curry is also a hometown kid, which might make it harder to pry him away.

Philadelphia will be on the prowl for more help. Curry isn’t exactly a versatile player, but he would help the Sixers single-handedly in a gigantic way if they brought him back.

28 Dec

Knicks may acquire Heat’s aging $146 million All-Star via trade

“The New York Knicks were the busiest team in the trade market this past offseason,” Clutch Points’ Bailey Bassett wrote Wednesday.

“We mentioned above that they gave up an arm and a leg to acquire Mikal Bridges, but they made another blockbuster deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns as well.”

“This all came after trading for OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors during the 2023-24 season.”

“New York is running out of things to trade and money to spend, so a move for (Jimmy) Butler is unlikely. Even so, he is the exact type of player that would make sense on the Knicks roster.”

“Tom Thibodeau prefers gritty guys who play great defense and can stay on the court for long stretches of time.”

“Butler certainly fits the description, and it worked out when the two were paired together on the Chicago Bulls at the start of Butler’s career.”

The Heat were expected to get off to a blazing start to the year after their disappointing end to the 2023-24 campaign.

However, Miami has struggled with consistency through the first 22 games of the year, only winning three or more consecutive contests on one occasion.

While Butler’s scoring is slightly down from a season ago, averaging 19.0 points per contest, the 2021 steals champion’s polished mid-range jumper, underrated second gear on the move, and competitiveness defensively have made him a highly regarded trade target for various teams.

Butler’s fit on the Knicks could be interesting, but New York desperately needs to bolster their bench production and frontcourt depth.

By focusing on alluring assets such as Jordan Clarkson, Jonas Valančiūnas, and Isaiah Stewart, the Knicks could turn their glaring weaknesses into valuable strengths this season.

28 Dec

Spurs’ Chris Paul sheds light on NBA future, possibility of playing with his son

So far through 24 games, Paul is averaging 10.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game in the silver and black. He has also shot the ball well at 42.8% from the field and 35.2% from three. Paul also recently passed Jason Kidd for the second-most career assists in NBA history.

While Paul has turned back the clock this season, the future Hall of Famer is nearing a close to his NBA career. He shed some light on his future during a recent interview with Spurs legend, Tony Parker.

“Maybe a year or two,” Paul said after Parker asked him how much longer he wants to play. “I’m still trying to feel it out… I love hooping. The hardest part is when I get home and have to watch my kids’ games on the iPad.”

Paul signed a one-year, $10.4 million contract with the Spurs in the offseason, and with this response, it looks like he is in the final few years of his career. Parker also asked him about the possibility of him playing with his son, Chris Paul Jr., in the NBA.

“Yeah, I ain’t playing that long,” Paul said. “I can tell you that right now. I am not playing that long.”

Of course, LeBron James and Bronny James became the first father-son duo to play together in an NBA game earlier this season for the Los Angeles Lakers, but Paul was adamant about not playing long enough to do the same with his son.

Chris Jr. is still a freshman in high school, so even if he ends up being a one and done in college it would still take another five years for him to possibly reach the NBA.

It still remains to be seen whether Paul with stay in San Antonio for the remainder of his time in the NBA or join a new team when he hits free agency next summer, but either way, he has had a Hall of Fame career and has implemented himself as one of the best point guards in NBA history.

28 Dec

Mavericks may land $117 million All-NBA forward via blockbuster trade with Wolves

Julius Randle of the Minnesota Timberwolves could be on the move again after being dealt from the New York Knicks alongside Donte DiVincenzo, another potential Mavs target, in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns.

Proposed Trade Details:
Mavericks Receive: Randle

Timberwolves Receive: P.J. Washington, Maxi Kleber, Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy

ESPN’s Bobby Marks previously suggested a Randle trade to the Mavs before he ultimately ended up in Minnesota.

Randle has said he “felt wanted” in Minnesota. Still, with a player option available to him after this season, the Timberwolves could look to move on from him by the trade deadline rather than risk losing him for nothing during the offseason.

The three-time All-Star could fit very well next to Doncic and Irving because he can go create his own shot whenever necessary but also create looks for his teammates given his solid playmaking skills. Defenses will have to account for Randle at all times because he is an absolute bulldozer with the ball in his hands and can stretch the floor with his three-point shot.

Many successful teams have a big man who can push the pace in transition, especially in the modern era.

This trade is also reasonable for the Timberwolves’ side. Grimes is a solid two-way guard/forward, and Washington can help replicate the three-point shooting Minnesota has been missing from Towns.

Hardy is also a promising young guard who could give Minnesota much-needed depth at that position.

Considering both teams’ needs, this trade could very well satisfy both teams’ needs.