One-and-Done Golf Picks for Arnold Palmer Invitational

As the PGA Tour returns to action, so do the one-and-done pools for golf contest players. 

For those unfamiliar, OAD pools closely mirror an NFL survivor contest. Players select a golfer each week and earn their prize money at the conclusion of the event. 

The catch? Contestants can only use a player once. Additionally, not all prize pools are created equally, which further adds to the game theory. 

Below, I’ve outlined three players worth a look for OAD pools this week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational

Golf odds are reflective at the time of writing and are subject to movement. 

3 Best Golf One-and-Done Picks for Arnold Palmer Invitational

Option #1: Rory McIlroy (+900)

McIlroy’s irons are working so well right now that his floor appears quite high. 

Even when the driver failed him at Pebble Beach, McIlroy still finished T-14th. At Riviera, he finished as the runner-up to surprise winner Jacob Bridgeman. 

Now players find McIlroy at a venue where he previously thrived. Including a win at Bay Hill in 2019, McIlroy finished 10th or better here in six of his last eight starts. 

The last two years qualify as the exceptions. However, McIlroy struggled those weeks because of his irons, which are working spectacularly right now. 

Unless you’re saving him for a major this season, McIlroy should earn serious consideration this week at Bay Hill. 

Option #2: Matt Fitzpatrick (+2500)

Bay Hill offers many close approximations to U.S. Open setups. Long courses, penal rough and a heavy emphasis on ball striking. 

Fitzpatrick famously won a U.S. Open at the Country Club. At Bay Hill, the Brit has posted a decent record. 

He finished as the runner-up to McIlroy in 2019, one of four top-10s in his last seven appearances at Bay Hill. 

Crucially, Fitzpatrick never lost strokes putting at this track. I offer that stat because he struggled mightily with the putter in California. 

A change of scenery may allow Fitzpatrick’s ball-striking metrics to drive success. Over the last 12 rounds, no player in this field has gained more strokes on approach than Fitzpatrick. 

Option #3: Cameron Young (+3300)

Young’s Riviera performance offered a glimpse of hope to players. He went from -2.8 SG: APP at Pebble Beach to +4.45 at Riviera. 

It’s a limited sample size, but the rapid turnaround offers some encouragement. That could lead to smaller ownership in OAD pools. 

Young struggled last year at Bay Hill, missing the weekend in a small field. However, it coincided with a time when his irons completely failed him. 

Before that failure, Young notched a T-13 and T-10 in two prior appearances at Bay Hill. 

Additionally, he ranks 12th in the field in Par 5 birdie or better percentage over his last 36 rounds. 

All of that said, I’m trying my best to save Young. His profile offers potential spike opportunities for the PGA and Open Championships. 

If he wins an upcoming event, it renders him live for those tournaments in my opinion. Accordingly, Young offers a high-risk, high-reward profile this week.