Palmer’s Playground

*UPDATE: Laird = WIN*

The PGA Tour heads to balmy Orlando for the weekend to face one of the tougher courses on the circuit, Arnold Palmer’s course at Bay Hill Club & Lodge. Precision is a big key to success, so total driving and GIR stats are a good barometer for success. For what it’s worth, consider me a member of Arnie’s Army and not Jack’s Pack.

• Hunter Mahan | 20:1 – Coming off a T9 last week in Tampa and simply looks like an all around great candidate to win here.
• Justin Rose | 30:1 – Great iron player, played well last week with a T5, and in the upper echelon in stat categories.
• Martin Laird | 40:1 – Same finish as Rose last week for the Scotsman followed up a T10 at the WGC, and also sitting high in pertinent stats. [Winning. Again. That’s back to back hot fire picks for those keeping score.]

• Chris Couch -110 vs. Spencer Levin – Levin is actually favored and admittedly playing well, but I like Couch’s par 4 performance and he had a T4 here last season.
• Martin Laird -120 vs. Ernie Els – The Big Easy comes in to defend his title, but a lackluster 2011 and the fact that he just can’t putt has me taking Laird.

Who else to keep an eye on? Chad Campbell. Don’t think he has a chance to win, but a great pick to contend / post a solid finish.