A little over one month after the first major of the season, it’s time for what many golf fans call the ‘unofficial fifth major’. The Players Championship is right up there with the very biggest tournaments in the world in terms of prestige, the challenge posed by the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass and the quality of the players competing.
Almost everybody in the field this week has previous experience of TPC Sawgrass. They know where to push for birdies, where to settle for par and where the nerves really jangle (the par three 17th and its island green). But, with significant changes to the Stadium Course in the year since Jason Day won, adjustments must be made to succeed.
Who Will Win The Players Championship?
The Stadium Course will look quite different in places this year. The tees and bunkers have been refreshed and there are a couple of new water hazards but the biggest challenge is likely to come on the greens. They’ve all be re-laid with new TifEagle Bermuda grass and are likely to run as fast as 13 on the Stimpmeter. That means only those who hit consistently high quality approach shots and are confident on fast greens stand a genuine chance.
With all of the world’s best players in attendance, the Players Championship is a very difficult tournament to win. It’s also a very challenging course where every bad shot is punished so it takes a huge amount of mental fortitude as well as technical skill to get the job done.
Clearly, there are a large number of players capable of winning this week. But, of them all, Justin Thomas looks the best value at 30/1 with Bet365. The 24-year-old is one of a number of young players who has gone from potential up and comers to genuine PGA Tour star.
With three wins already this season, Thomas has proven that he can get the job done against world class opposition. He also took well to TPC Sawgrass on his first two appearances at the track. Thomas finished third last year after placing 24th on debut, form which is encouraging for those who take the plunge at 30/1.
Betting Tip – Justin Thomas at 30/1 with Bet365
Outside Chances, Each Way Tips and Other Bets
The list of previous winners of the Players Championship is pretty much polarised between those at the very top of the game (Jason Day, Rickie Fowler, Tiger Woods) and unfancied outsiders (K.J. Choi, Tim Clark, Stephen Ames). It is, therefore, well worth adding some longer odds options to your betting for the week.
Ryan Palmer is an interesting option at 150/1 with Betfred. The American has gone close at the Players before and has turned his form around in recent weeks so is worthy of each way support. So is Englishman, Lee Westwood at 125/1 with Betfred. He’s not been seen since his customary top 20 finish at the Masters and has three top 10 finishes at Sawgrass since 2010. Finally, Alex Noren could be able to follow up a good three days last week by claiming a top 10 finish on debut at 10/1 with Betfred.