Past champion Adam Scott among sleepers to win the 2022 Players Championship
The PGA Tour is in Ponta Vedra Beach, Florida, for one of, if not the, biggest non-major of the year. The best players in the world, aside from Bryson DeChambeau who withdrew from the field Sunday due to an injury, have descended upon TPC Sawgrass for the Players Championship.
Jon Rahm, the No. 1 ranked player in the world, is the betting favorite at +1200. Rahm played in Orlando last week, eventually tying for 17th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Justin Thomas, the winner of last year’s Players, is at +1300. Thomas’ last appearance came at the Genesis Invitational where he finished solo sixth.
Despite the superstar-packed field, there are numerous players who could make a run at the title this week further down the odds list.
Players: PGA Tour Live streaming on ESPN+
Adam Scott (+5000)
Adam Scott hits from the second tee during the first round of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The 2004 Players champion has three Top 10 finishes in his last five worldwide starts. In his last five Players appearances, the Aussie has four finishes of 12th or better. His most recent start came last week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational where he tied for 26th.
Max Homa (+7000)
Max Homa of the United States hits his tee shot on the ninth hole during the first round of the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 10, 2022, in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
After missing the weekend at the Farmers Insurance Open at the end of January, Homa has finished T-14 (WM Phoenix Open), T-10 (Genesis Invitational), and T-17 (Arnold Palmer Invitational) in his last three starts. He’s played in just one Players Championship (missed cut, 2021), but with the way he’s striking the golf ball, Homa could challenge for the hardware this weekend.
Tommy Fleetwood (+8000)
Tommy Fleetwood of England walks onto the 14th green during the second round of The Honda Classic at PGA National Resort And Spa on February 25, 2022, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
The man with the best hair on the PGA Tour has three Top 20s in his last four worldwide starts, including last week at Bay Hill where he tied for 20th. He missed the cut at last year’s Players, but posted a Top 5 in 2019 (the first year the event was moved back to March). It’s incredible to think Fleetwood hasn’t won on the PGA Tour yet, but no time is better than now.
Brian Harman (+10000)
Brian Harman of the United States plays his shot from the seventh tee during the second round of the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba on El Camaleon golf course on November 05, 2021, in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
The Georgia Bulldog missed the cut at the Honda Classic two weeks ago, but tied for 14th at the WM Phoenix Open and third at the American Express. Harmon has loved the new calendar location of the Players Championship as he’s finished T-3 (2021) and T-8 (2019) since the move.
Keegan Bradley (+10000)
Keegan Bradley of the United States tees off the 12th hole during a pro-am event prior to the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard at Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Golf Course on March 02, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Bradley is quietly having a solid year. In five events so far in 2022, he’s made every cut and has three finishes of T-26 or better. Last week in Orlando, the Vermont native tied for 11th. Bradley has also loved the change to March with finishes of T-29 (2021) and T-16 (2019) in the last two Players Championships.
