Afotimber This weekend the PGA Tour hosts its biggest non-major of the year. The Players’ Championship takes place at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
The strongest field in golf will compete. Defending champion Rory McIlroy withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week (back) and is still a game-time decision as to whether he will tee it up Thursday.
Scottie Scheffler is not on form at the moment. He’s a two time winner of this event however and always shows up for the big ones. I want to take a look at the players you should watch for and a couple of long shots for the week.
But first a little history on the tournament and the famous/infamous course.
Back in the 1970’s the PGA Tour headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach and was looking to build a golf course that would stand out above others. A new tournament was to be held called The Tournament Players Championship. The golf course was to be difficult, fair and a test for the best in the world. Who better to build it than Pete Dye?
Dye had gained the reputation as one of the best course designers in the world. Anticipation built as Dye crafted his masterpiece. The course opened in 1982 and a funny thing happened.
The players hated it. No less than Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, two great course designers in their own right, were especially critical. Deemed unfair and too tough even for professionals, the course looked to be dead on arrival. The first winner Jerry Pate in a humorous act of defiance jumped into the lake after winning and took Dye and Commissioner Deane Beaman with him.
Over time, however, the tour players accepted the course and the tournament. Great memories have accumulated. Greg Norman shredded Sawgrass in 1994 shooting a tournament record 264 (-24).
In 1996 Fred Couples electrified the place finishing eagle, birdie, par to win by four hots. In 2004 Davis Love shot an incredible 64 on Sunday in very difficult conditions to win by six. To this day, it’s one of the most impressive final rounds I’ve ever seen.
You’ll no doubt hear at least a dozen times the phrases “be the right club today” and “better than most”. These of course refer to Hal Sutton’s approach on 18 that he stiffed to beat Tiger in 2000 and Tiger’s long, triple breaking putt on 17 in 2001. NBC does a great job presenting this tournament annually, not bashing them. But enough already.
You’ll hear the poetry about the famous island green, the underrated finishing hole and other parts of the course. The truth is most times the winners navigate some tough holes on the way to the finish. Holes six and fourteen are especially rough. Your winner this year as in most years will hit greens, make putts and stay dry on 17 and 18.
Here are five players to watch this week. I have three betting favorites and two longshots to consider.
Odds from Caesar’s Sportsbook as of March 10
PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND – JULY 20: Scottie Scheffler of the United States celebrates with his son Bennett Scheffler and the Claret Jug on the 18th green after winning The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 20, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
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Sawgrass Favorite: Scottie Scheffler+450 to win
+125 top five
-160 top ten
A testament to the man who hasn’t played well in a month in that he’s still the betting favorite. He likes the course, he’s won here twice and he’s probably ticked off. Not good news for the rest of the field if he finds his form this week. His short game lately has not been good. He’s missed more putts than I can remember but he’s number one in the world for a reason. He won’t stay down long. The Masters is in a month. Time to get it dialed in Scottie.
Prediction: Top five finish. If his short game returns, he could hoist the trophy.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – MARCH 09: Collin Morikawa looks on while playing the first hole during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard 2025 at Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Golf Course on March 09, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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Sawgrass Favorite: Collin Morikawa+1750 to win
+325 top five
+150 top ten
He’s won this year already and has been on the leaderboard consistently. He’s a two-time major champion who can and will add this tournament to his resume. Things are trending up for him. I believe he’s my favorite over Scottie.
Prediction: This year’s champion.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 08: Si Woo Kim of South Korea plays his shot from the fifth tee during the final round of the WM Phoenix Open 2026 at TPC Scottsdale on February 08, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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Sawgrass Favorite: Si Woo Kim+1600 to win
+400 top five
+200 top ten
We really should pay attention to this guy. He’s steady, does everything well and rarely shoots himself in the foot. Sawgrass is a shot makers course. Kim is an excellent ball striker who doesn’t put himself out of position often. I like him at Augusta next month – spoiler alert. He will make some noise here.
Prediction: Top ten finish and a presence on Sunday.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 10: Rickie Fowler watches a tee shot on the seventh hole during the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship 2025 at TPC Southwind on August 10, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Sawgrass Long Shot: Rickie Fowler+5000 to win
+1100 top five
+500 top ten
My first dark horse. He’s won here before, although 2015 seems like a lifetime ago for Rickie. I pull for this guy because he’s the perfect combination of grind and flash. His contemporaries Jordan Speith and Justin Thomas have had more success. Fowler was supposed to be right up there with them. His accomplishments haven’t equaled the others but he’s a likable guy. The fans love him. Drive it straight and make some putts Rickie and you’ll be near the top. Good value bet here.
Prediction: fighting for a top ten finish.
Sawgrass Big Long Shot: Brian Harman+15000 to win
+2500 top five
+1200 top ten
My big longshot. He’s taken some grief because of his propensity to take forever over a shot. I get it — he’s painfully slow at times. He also plays tough courses well. The course may be a bit long for him, especially if any weather decides to affect the course. A good putter, accurate driver and a shot maker. No prediction here, not no surprise if come Sunday evening he’s cashing a big time finish.
Sawgrass Wildcard Rory McIlroy+1500 to win
+330 top five
+175 top ten
The defending champion is hurt and may not compete this week. If he does his effectiveness is a question. His inclusion makes a strong field stronger and he won’t offer excuses. If he’s there, he’s there to win.
Technically not a major, The Players kicks off major season for me. Much like The Masters this tournament is a great viewing experience.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – MARCH 11: The trophy is displayed prior to THE PLAYERS Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 11, 2025 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
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