Big 3 may get challenged by these guys

Beyond golf’s current Big Three of Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, plenty of golfers in the 120-player field have shown the form in 2023 or in past visits to Bay Hill to contend at this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Best of the rest Matt Fitzpatrick:

The reigning U.S. Open champion battled a neck injury a month ago, but rise to the occasions at Bay Hill. The Englishman has four straight top 10s, including a tie for second in 2019.

Max Homa:

The California native thrived on the West Coast swing. One of the game’s better iron players has held his own at Bay Hill, finishing T24 (2020), T10 (2021) and T17 (2022).

Viktor Hovland: He made the cut at four APIs, finishing T2 in 2022 despite going 74-75 in the final two rounds. The 25-year-old Norwegian’s scoring weekend average is 4 strokes higher. To win, this must change.

Keep an eye on

Chris Kirk: After top-3 finishes in two of three starts, Kirk won the Honda Classic to end a nearly eight-year drought. He looks to maintain momentum at Bay Hill, where he’s posted consecutive top 10s.

Keith Mitchell: He leads PGA Tour in total driving and is tied for 20th in par-5 scoring, a good way to tackle Bay Hill. Mitchell was top 10 in 2019 and 2020.

Jason Day: He won the 2016 API at the peak of his powers. After years of injuries, the 35-year-old Aussie is trending with three straight top 10s. His brilliant short game will factor in windy conditions.

Sleepers

Rickie Fowler:

Now 34, the onetime rising star remains a fan favorite despite losing his form. But the five-time Tour winner has found it in 2023, posting top 20s in three events. He would be as popular a contender as anyone.

Tommy Fleetwood:

Coming off a tie for 20th at the Genesis Invitational, Fleetwood has four top 25s in six APIs, including three top 10s. A strong iron player who needs putter to cooperate this week.

Luke List: One of the game’s big hitters even at age 38, List has shown he can stand up to Bay Hill. He debuted in 2017 with a T17 and was T7 in 2018 and a T10 in 2019.

Email Edgar Thompson at egthompson@orlandosentinel. com or follow him on Twitter at @osgators.