Arnold Palmer Invitational

Fantasy Fix

We discuss slow play, bad brackets, Arnold Palmer's legacy beyond golf and of course, this week's tournament

Graeme McDowell doesn't even lose at the Tavistock Cup.

Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented By MasterCard

Where: Orlando, Fla.

Course: Bay Hill Club & Lodge

Defending champion: Ernie Els defeated Edoardo Molinari and Kevin Na by two shots.

Purse: $6,000,000

This Week's Fix Six

1. Dustin Johnson
2. Graeme McDowell
3. Rickie Fowler
4. Tiger Woods
5. Kevin Na
6. Matteo Manassero

By Alex Myers

Follow: @AlexMyers3

Photos by Getty Images

March 22, 2011

Welcome to another edition of Fantasy Fix, where we wish the PGA Tour would implement a shot clock. Play would speed up, plus viewers would get the additional benefit of seeing the occasional buzzer-beaters. But before we stir the ghosts of Bobby Jones and Ben Hogan, let's move on to our thoughts on this week's tournament.

ON TAP:

The PGA Tour continues its Florida Swing with the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, which is the last big event before the major championship season starts. As usual, there will be a strong field in Orlando, but the main attraction will be tournament host Arnold Palmer (Side note: I met Arnold Palmer once and took a picture with the King (See below). I even signed it for him. True story. Well, the first part, at least.)

Random tournament fact: Palmer won seven career major championships. But his greatest legacy may be his genius idea to combine lemonade with iced tea, a combo that became the best drink of all time. Look it up.

THE DEFENDER

Ernie Els. Last year, the "Big Easy" was in the midst of a career renaissance with his second win in three weeks. This year, he's returned to the middle ages with lackluster play so far. While he's not the worst play here, there are plenty of better options this week.

STUDS OF THE WEEK

Graeme McDowell and Dustin Johnson. Neither of these guys have finished better than T-40 here the last three years, but I've got a Ben Crenshaw-like feeling about this. Both are due for a win and both have been close in 2011. Speaking of being due, Rickie Fowler is still looking for his first win and I could see it coming here with Dan Hicks and Johnny Miller spending all weekend trumpeting the possible arrival of a new "King." You know, because it's mandatory that all golf announcers call that week's winner -- from Jhonattan Vegas to Gary Woodland -- the next great player. If I have to hear "This guy's not going anywhere," any more times... OK, moving on.

Just a couple Wake Forest alums posing.

MANDATORY TIGER TALK

Tiger Woods is currently on an up part of his trend of playing up-and-down golf after closing with a 66 at Doral. Problem is, every time he's done anything even resembling his old self, he has seemed to counter with a performance reminiscent of a 2-handicapper. Not that it's meant anything lately, but Bay Hill is one of his special places. He's won six times at the King's course, including twice on walk-off birdie putts on the 72nd hole. Bold prediction: Woods won't return to the winner's circle just yet, but he will really ignite talk about the Masters with his first top-five finish in nine months.

SWEET 16 THOUGHTS

You're probably wondering what can someone whose bracket has more red than the leader board at the John Deere Classic offer? Probably nothing, but here goes anyway. I'm sticking with my original pick of Kansas winning it all, but now I'll say the Jayhawks will be joined by Ohio State, San Diego State and Florida in the Final Four. Check back next week when I'll probably have to pick another winner from a completely different set of four teams.

FAN MAIL BREAK

"Hey, Alex. Thanks for ruining my bracket. You know nothing about college basketball. I'm not taking any more of your advice. At least until the NBA playoffs. Sincerely, Phil Mickelson."

No, Phil didn't really write me and hopefully, his bracket looks a little better than his recent tee shots. Seriously, though, please feel free to e-mail me with comments, questions or just to make fun of my picks. And of course, you can follow me on Twitter.