2016 TPC Players Championship Preview And Picks
Ready for 2016 PGA TPC Players Championship betting predictions?The 2016 TPC Players Championship Golf comes our way this week from TPC Sawgrass (The Players Stadium Course), Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The 7,215 yard par 72 track isn’t the longest that the world’s best play annually but it is often one of the most challenging and therefore most intriguing.
2016 Players Championship
When: May 12 – 15, 2016 on Golf Channel/NBC
Where: TPC Sawgrass (The Players Stadium Course), Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
FedExCup Points: 600
Purse: $10 million / Winner Share: $1.8 million
Defending Champion: Rickie Fowler
Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For Today
As always, the Stadium Course requires serious accuracy and strong iron play – a stellar all-around game will once again get it done this week – the dramatic island green, the par 3 17th could be where it is won and lost.
Greens in Regulation are a key stat at TPC Sawgrass as is a hot putter of course.
Every one of the top 20 players in the World Gold Rankings will tee it up this week looking to knock Ricky Fowler from his perch.
With that in mind who should we keep our eyes on this week? Let’s take a look.
2016 TPC Players Championship Favorites:
Rory McIlroy +750
Rory was good and bad last week as favorite but does arrive off a solid weekend at the Wells Fargo.
He has certainly gotten better on this track but for some reason it doesn’t exactly fit his eye – he has made the cut three of six times he’s played here but all three of those results have come in the last three years.
His last three starts overall have resulted in 4-T10-T4 – pretty good form overall but his inability to find fairways lately is a bit of a concern.
Jordan Spieth +900
Was last seen melting down at the Masters – remember that – I am sure he will be reminded over and over during the course of the week!
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He somehow missed the cut here last year after a T4 in his debut on this track in 2014 – not sure what to make of this week’s chances.
His stats don’t exactly match up well for TPC Sawgrass but there is absolutely no denying his class. Nobody would be shocked to see him win this week!
Jason Day +1100
Is another guy whose stats don’t mesh well with this track – he has made the cut just twice here is five appearances but both of those made cuts went for top 20s including a T6 way back in 2011.
He enters off a T5 at the rain shortened Zurich Classic. Day, like Rory isn’t the best at finding fairways which has me slightly gun-shy on pulling the trigger with him this week.
2016 TPC Players Championship Contenders:
Rickie Fowler +1800
Defending champion here also finished T2 here in 2012 (he has also missed the cut three times) and enters off a respectable T3 at the Wells Fargo – he led after 54 holes.
He looks for his first win this year but does have six top 10s in 2016 making him due for a win.
He is the TOUR leader in all-around which is a perfect trait for TFC Sawgrass. Fowler is definitely on my radar – he should be on yours too!
Justin Rose +2500
Enters off a third place finish at Quail Hollow after an uncharacteristic missed cut at the Zurich Classic.
He now has six top 20 finishes in his last eight starts – terrific form ahead of this week.
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His history here isn’t great, not unlike many of the elite – he’s only made half of his 12 cuts, with a T4 in 2014 being by far his best.
He looks for his first win of the year – this could be the spot.
Henrik Stenson +2800
Checks as many boxes as any of the elite players in the field this week – his tee-to-green play is terrific and he ranks second on TOUR in ball striking.
He will be motivated to bounce back from a missed cut at the Wells Fargo last week on a track he’s made eight of 10 cuts including a win in 2009, two other top 5s, another top 10 and a total of seven top 25s.
Henrik ranks 11th on TOUR in driving accuracy and 8th in GIR – perfect attributes for a good finish this week.
Hideki Matsuyama +2800
Matsutama has been on my radar seemingly ever week.
He has finished inside the top 25 in both appearances here – his tee-to-green game makes him a very good fit. He form is good as well – he has four straight top 20 finishes ahead of this week and may be the golfer best suited for a good finish in this quirky test.
Lovin’ Matsuyama this week!
Sergio Garcia +2800
Garcia always seems to show up at Sawgrass – he’s made 14 of 16 cuts here (WHAT??? 16 appearances??) and has six top 10s (3 straight) including a win in 2008 and a T2 last year.
The past three years Sergio has an eighth, third and runner-up finish. He hasn’t had the best season but did post a decent third in the Spanish Open recently.
He currently ranks sixth on TOUR in strokes gained: tee-to-green and 4th in GIR – good attributes for Sawgrass. Experience and success on this track make Sergio an intriguing +2800.
2016 TPC Players Championship Sleepers (+5000 or higher):
Zach Johnson +5000
Any time that length isn’t crucial and strong iron play is key; Zach has to be in the conversation. He has made the cut on this track 10 of the 11 times he’s played here with two top 10s (seven top 25s) including a T2 in 2012.
Johnson is a bit of a streaky guy but when right is a contender for sure.
Kevin Na +8000
Was last seen finishing T4 at the RBC Heritage (his fourth top 5 of the of the 2015-2016 season) and has recorded three top 10 finishes on this track the last six years including a T6 last year.
His stats line up well here and obviously his course history is fine as well. Accuracy and scrambling are his game and TPC Sawgrass is a place where he can thrive doing just that.
Bill Haas +10000
Hasn’t traditionally been a long hitter which makes TPC Sawgrass perfect for his game. He finished T4 here last year and despite a missed cut at Quail Hollow he has been good this year which includes a playoff loss at Copperhead.
Haas is a nice player that could provide a tremendous payday indeed.
2016 TPC Players Championship Picks:
The pick this week is Sergio Garcia at +2800. His track history here is just too good to ignore.
The Sleeper is Kevin Na at +8000. He is #8 in the FedEx Cup standings which speaks to his 2015-2016 form and he has been inside the top 10 on this track two of the last three years.
Golf handicapper DAVE B weighs in each week with his top selections. Including top picks and sleepers!
Check back each week for your PGA golf gambling, handicapping info & free golf picks.
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