The season’s “fifth major” gets underway this week as the best and brightest from the PGA Tour travel to TPC Sawgrass for the 2025 Players Championship. Representing the 51st playing of the event, this week at the famous Pete Dye design will test every aspect of one’s game – physically and mentally.
It should come as no surprise that world No. 1 and two-time defending champion Scottie Scheffler tops the odds board at 9/2. Scheffler came into this tournament a year ago at a similar price, but that year, he had one win already under his belt having captured the Arnold Palmer Invitational just one week prior. This year, he enters as a two-time reigning champion seeking an immensely rare three-peat at a golf tournament.
Scheffler has yet to enter the winner’s circle this season, but Rory McIlroy has already hoisted a trophy. The world No. 2 is listed closely behind Scheffler at 7-1 as the two have combined to win three of the last five Players with McIlroy’s title coming in 2019.
Favorites
- Scottie Scheffler: 9/2
- Rory McIlroy: 7-1
- Ludvig Åberg: 14-1
- Collin Morikawa: 16-1
- Xander Schauffele: 18-1
- Justin Thomas: 18-1
Four of the last five Players Championships belong to this group with the outlier being Cameron Smith. Scheffler, McIlroy and Thomas have shown the ability to get the job done at TPC Sawgrass while Schauffele came agonizingly close last season. Morikawa brings the most intrigue, however, as he is in great form after a runner-up finish at Bay Hill and has a number of solid rounds at TPC Sawgrass.
Contenders
Before the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Hideki Matsuyama was the only player in the below group to have won on the PGA Tour since the start of the 2024 season. With his win at Arnie’s Place, it was Russell Henley who joined the man from Japan and has our attention as the 35-year-old has been sensational to start the year. He has his entire game clicking right now and continues to put himself into weekend contention. There are a few contenders from last season’s championship, including Wyndham Clark and Maverick McNealy. The latter missed the cut at the API but remains in fine form having finished runner-up at the Genesis Invitational and inside the top 10 at the WM Phoenix Open.
Sleepers
Weird things can happen at TPC Sawgrass, so why not look in the direction of Jordan Spieth? The three-time major champion has two top-10 finishes in his first four starts since returning from offseason wrist surgery. He continues to drive the ball beautifully, and most importantly, he is making putts like vintage Spieth. If the iron play cooperates, he can be a factor.
Who will win The Players Championship, and which longshots will stun the golfing world? Visit SportsLine now to see the projected leaderboard and best bets, all from the model that’s nailed 13 golf majors and is up nearly $9,000 since June 2020.
