What some may refer to as the ‘Fifth Major’, the Players Championship kicks off on Thursday as the world’s top golfers look to battle it out on a demanding and punishing TPC Sawgrass layout.
The Course
TPC Sawgrass lies one mile away from the Atlantic Ocean in Ponte Vedra, Florida. The greens are slightly smaller than the tour average as are the narrow fairways that are lined with strategic bunkers and water hazards. Water is in play on 16 of the 18 holes. An accurate game is essential however longer hitters have featured since the tournament changed to be played in March. The par 72 course plays 7,245 yards.
Look out for the famous par 17th island green which is sure to provide plenty of drama come Sunday.
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Market Leaders
Last weeks PGA Tour winner and world number 1, Scottie Scheffler is favourite to win at 6.50. The bookies have Rory McIlroy as second favourite to win at 13.00 while Justin Thomas is trading at 19.00.
Betting – Click here to bet
Scottie Scheffler 6.50
Rory McIlroy 13.00
Justin Thomas 19.00
Xander Schauffele 23.00
Patrick Cantlay 23.00
Viktor Hovland 23.00
Max Homa 23.00
25/1 and better the balance, prices correct at the time of posting but subject to change
Previous winners, score and winning margin
2023: Scottie Scheffler (United States) -17 5 strokes
2022: Cameron Smith (Australia) -13 1 stroke
2021: Justin Thomas (United States) -14 1 stroke
2020: Cancelled after round 1
2019: Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) -16 1 stroke
2018: Webb Simpson (United States) -18 4 strokes
Selections:
Xander Schauffele at 23.00
Schauffele has had an impressive start to his PGA Tour season, finishing in the top 10 on 4 out of 6 starts. His highest finish was 3rd place in his second start this year. Schauffele finished 19th in last years Players Championship after missing the cut three years in a row. In 2018 he finished runner up 4 shots behind the leader Webb Simpson. His course form is erratic but he has shown he can play it well when things click and I am betting on a big performance this week.
Suggested bet: Each way at 23.00
Victor Hovland at 22/1
The young Norwegian golfer has had a mediocre start to his 2024 season compared to what he has become accustomed to. He has played 4 tournaments where his best finish has been 19th place. Hovland finished 3rd in last Years Players and 9th in 2022. Hovland is a man for the big occasion and I am expecting him to be right up there come Sunday although I am taking a more conservative play that he finishes in the Top 10.
Suggested bet: Top 10 finish at 3.75.
Wyndham Clark at 35/1
The major winner managed to finish runner-up last week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, 5 shots behind world number 1, Scottie Scheffler. This was his second top 10 finish this year as he won the AT&T Pebble Beach pro-am. The American golfer showed in last year’s US Open that he has the ability to compete with the big names and he looks primed for a big week.
Suggested bet: Top 20 finish at 2.45
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