PLAYERS Championship Preview/Predictions
Who says golf betting can’t be exciting in May? Thanks to a nice schedule rearrangement a couple of years ago, the Players Championship, widely regarded in sports betting circles as the fifth major, is perfectly sandwiched between the Masters and the U.S. Open. With the richest purse in golf betting as well as the most famous hole and one of the top fields, the Players Championship odds are a hot sportsbook event.Before I start to sound like I’m advertising the tourney, let’s move onto some intriguing golf lines and picks for the Players Championship odds.
Tiger Woods
Players Championship odds: +350
Believe it or not, Tiger’s Players Championship line of +350 suggests a lack of sportsbook confidence in him. Arguably, though, it’s justified; his play off the tee and with the putter have been spotty of late, as evidenced by his subpar-for-his-standards sixth and fourth-place finishes in his last two tournaments. He hasn’t cracked the top 10 at Sawgrass in his last six tries, so his 2001 win there seems to be a distant memory. It makes sense to avoid him, though it is tempting to capitalize on his better-than-normal value.
Phil Mickelson
Players Championship odds: +1000
The 2007 winner, like 2008 champ Sergio Garcia, has his sportsbook value inflated by his big-name status. Does he warrant being the No. 2 favorite in this tournament? Lefty has had flashes of brilliance this season but his short game is nowhere near its usual elite level in golf betting this season, so he’ll have to be very accurate off the tee to be in the hunt this week.
Kenny Perry
Players Championship odds: +3300
Already with six top 10s and a win in PGA betting this season, Perry’s crisp ball striking makes him a nice fit for the TPC at Sawgrass.
Sure, his nerves did him in at the Masters, but the Players Championship odds aren’t quite a major yet, so he should feel fine should he take a lead into Sunday.
Brian Gay
Players Championship odds: +5000
We should always include a “hot right now” guy when discussing golf lines, so Gay fits the bill here. Yes, Sean O’Hair is even hotter at the moment, but Gay’s strong recent play couples with very accurate approaches, meaning he’ll be as good a sportsbook bet as anyone to make magic happen at the storied island-green No. 17.
Henrik Stenson
Players Championship odds: +4000
The quietly effective Swede may be our favorite sportsbook sleeper this week. He hasn’t won yet this golf betting season but he has three top threes in worldwide play and is one of three golfers with no missed cuts and multiple career top 10s in the Players Championship odds. He and Sawgrass just seem to click.
Sports wagering pick: Henrik Stenson +4000
