5 golfers who could win the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2026 post-cut: Mid-weekend picks explored

The Arnold Palmer Invitational 2026 is halfway completed, and we are just 36 holes away from getting a new champion. Following the two rounds, Daniel Berger stunned the superstars to take a strong lead at Bay Hill.

Speaking of others, Akshay Bhatia, Ludvig Aberg, and Rory McIlroy are among the big names in the mix. In this article, we will look at the five names who could claim the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2026 title.

5 mid-weekend picks at the Arnold Palmer Invitational

1) Daniel Berger

Daniel Berger has gone through a lot in the last few years and has had his fair share of history with injuries. He missed the 2023 season due to a back injury and then finished 140th in the FedEx Cup 2024 standings. Last year, he made a good comeback with a decent season and a couple of top-3 finishes.

After starting the season strongly, Berger fired 63 and 68 at Bay Hill to take the 36-hole lead. Following the second round, he has a whopping five-shot lead over the field and is the hot favorite to win if he doesn’t lose the rhythm on the weekend.

2) Collin Morikawa

Collin Morikawa has found his groove back with the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am title and is now eyeing his second title this week. Currently, he is six strokes back, but one low round can put him in contention.

3) Rickie Fowler

Rickie Fowler hasn’t had a top-ten finish so far in 2026, but he has been consistent and putting up decent results with three top-25s. This week, he is currently at solo sixth and is seven strokes back after a pair of 69s.

The six-time PGA Tour winner is looking to end his more than two-year-long title drought this week.

4) Akshay Bhatia

Akshay Bhatia is currently in second at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but he needs to cover the five-stroke gap over the next two days. The young golfer has been in solid form since the WM Phoenix Open, and a win this week would be the icing on the cake.

5) Scottie Scheffler

Scottie Scheffler started the season from where he stopped last year, but his top-ten streak ended at the Genesis Invitational. Putting that result behind him, Scheffler is currently inside the top ten with 70 and 71 in the first two rounds of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

However, the World No. 1 is yet to be at his best at Bay Hill, as he finished the second day with a bogey on 18th. However, fans know the four-time major champion can never be counted out, irrespective of where he is.