Players Championship Tips

Last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational Championship offered great indicators of players hitting their stride at precisely the right moment. The event at Bay Hill delivered thrilling entertainment. Lee Westwood barely missed clinching victory over Bryson DeChambeau in a nail-biter. DeChambeau stands out as a serious contender for TPC Sawgrass, with bookmakers trimming his odds to 14/1 after his bold victory. Despite trailing McIlroy by seven strokes in a tied 20th place two years ago, he's poised for another strong run, but his odds lack appeal amidst this stiff competition.

The same outlook applies to tournament favorite Dustin Johnson, holding top odds a 12/1. However, Johnson has shown uncharacteristic wobble in 2021 with recent form readings of T11-T8-T54. Sawgrass is characterized by its relatively petite Bermuda grass greens, demanding precision in iron play with putting prowess as a decisive factor. Many holes offer some leniency for off-target drives, where driving accuracy isn't always a critical element — McIlroy's 2019 under par performance with less than 60% of fairways hit being a case in point.

This creates an environment where various player types can thrive, making the Players a magnificent yet open tournament. The predictability is diminished by varied winners and sparse course specialists.

Over the years, remarkable surprises have occurred here, perhaps none more shocking than Si Woo Kim's career-defining win in 2017. Additionally, Webb Simpson, Ricky Fowler, Martin Kaymer, KJ Choi, and Matt Kuchar have all emerged victorious at substantial odds over the past decade.

The fact is that SawgrassKim, who made history as the youngest Players winner in 2017, displayed remarkable poise to clinch the title at a tender 21. While his subsequent tournament performances have been modest, he managed to advance past cuts in 2018 and 2019 before carding a 65 in last year’s opening round, which was subsequently canceled. Having already claimed victory on the PGA Tour this year by shooting a final round 64 to triumph in the American Express at La Quinta in January, his 100/1 and therefore 20/1 odds for a Top 10 finish may be speculative but hold promise as our initial choice for the 2021 Players Championship.

Our subsequent recommendation hinges on the often polarizing Patrick Reed. With odds of 35/1, Reed presents an intriguing opportunity. The World No.8 golfer has already marked victory this year with a win at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Prior to bowing out at last week's Arnold Palmer Invitational, Reed secured a respectable ninth at the Workday Open at the Concession Club. Though his Players Championship record isn't stellar, with placements of 22nd in 2017 and 24th two years prior, Reed continues to grow and possesses the skillset to conquer any course.

Also on our watch list is South African Louis Oosthuizen, who could thrive at Sawgrass this year. He boasts course credentials with a 2nd place showing in 2017 and a commendable T28th in 2016. Oosthuizen is known for his steady performance in major events, having ranked third at last year’s US Open, a standout achievement for 2020. Demonstrating glimpses of form in three 2021 tournaments with finishes of T29-T11-T6 across the Farmers, Phoenix, and . Oosthuizen makes for a reliable each-way bet at 55/1 with

Our final pick of the week is the somewhat temperamental Billy Horschel. Hoping Horschel can avoid on-course outbursts and regain the consistency he displayed before his Bay Hill disappointment last week, he becomes an appealing candidate at 80/1, backed by Paddy Power and Betfair once more. Horschel began 2021 strong with a T7 at the Sony Open in Hawaii and a T2 at the Workday before a missed cut brought unwelcome attention last week. Still, his Players Championship track record remains commendable, highlighted by a T13 finish in 2015.

Savor a fantastic week at the TPC Sawgrass and seize the opportunity of Each Way 10 Places offered by Workday Opens Your email won’t be published. Paddy Power and Betfair Sportsbook .  

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