The flagship event on the PGA Tour’s schedule has arrived, as the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is once again primed to host the best field in golf for the Players Championship.
Defending champion and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is hoping to build off last week’s win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but he’ll have to fight off a loaded field that includes Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, among others.
However, the Tour could be in serious trouble if Scheffler’s improved putting — thanks to a new mallet — continues in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Golf course
TPC Sawgrass | Par 72 | 7,275 yards
Course history
Betting odds
| Player | Odds | Player | Odds |
| Scottie Scheffler | +550 | Shane Lowry | +3500 |
| Rory McIlroy | +1200 | Sam Burns | +3500 |
| Xander Schaufele | +2000 | Jordan Spieth | +3500 |
| Justin Thomas | +2200 | Ludvig Aberg | +3500 |
| Viktor Hovland | +2500 | Wyndham Clark | +4000 |
| Patrick Cantlay | +2500 | Tommy Fleetwood | +4500 |
| Max Homa | +2500 | Russell Henley | +4500 |
| Will Zalatoris | +2800 | Cameron Young | +4500 |
| Collin Morikawa | +2800 | Si Woo Kim | +5000 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | +3000 | Sahith Theegala | +5000 |
Picks to win
Will Zalatoris hits his drive on the tenth tee during the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Cameron Young (25/1): T-36
Matt Fitzpatrick (28/1): MC
Will Zalatoris (28/1): T-4
Jason Day (35/1): T-36
Jake Knapp (55/1): T-57
Nothing to write home about, but we were feeling really good when Zalatoris had a large lead late Saturday afternoon. Let’s see if we can get a winner at the Players.
Max Homa of the United States plays his shot from the sixth tee during the third round of THE PLAYERS Championship on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 11, 2023 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Homa missed the cut at the WM Phoenix Open in February but has since bounced back with finishes of T-16 (Genesis Invitational) and T-8 (Arnold Palmer Invitational) in his last two starts.
Since missing the cut at his debut Players in 2021, Homa has tied for 13th (2022) and sixth (2023) in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Viktor Hovland of Norway looks on during a practice round prior to THE PLAYERS Championship on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 08, 2023 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Hovland has just one top-20 finish in four starts this year — T-19 at the Genesis Invitational — but it’s tough to ignore his recent course history at TPC Sawgrass.
Since missing the cut at his first Players in 2021, the Norwegian has tied for ninth (2022) and third (2023).
Will Zalatoris acknowledges the crowd during the first round of THE PLAYERS Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
After Zalatoris’ tie for second at the Genesis Invitational, I told myself he’d win either the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Players or Masters in 2024 — so Willy Z is going back on the card after his T-4 finish at the API.
Zalatoris’ game excels at difficult venues, and TPC Sawgrass fits the bill. He has made it to the weekend in all three appearances at the Players, including two T-26 or better finishes in 2021 and 2022 (he finished 73rd in 2023).
His iron-play prowess, combined with a new-found confidence on the greens, has Zalatoris in a great spot to make a run at the title.
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