📰 Table Of Contents
Overview
The days are getting longer and gradually a little brighter, and this weekend 144 players will be hoping the sun shines on them as the PGA Tour heads to TPC Sawgrass for its showpiece event and the unofficial fifth major, The Players Championship.
While the majesty of Augusta and a chance at Masters glory will soon be at the forefront of the mind for the game’s very best, victory at The Players is also something every golfer wants on their resume.
The challenge presented at Sawgrass this year will be a slightly extended one, with 75 yards added to the scorecard as Scottie Scheffler seeks to write yet more history and the rest attempt to deny him.
Scheffler last year became the first player to win back-to-back Players Championship titles, overhauling a five-shot deficit to Xander Schauffele by going bogey free in putting together a stunning eight-under final round of 64.
This year, Scheffler will be aiming to record an unprecedented three-peat and join the great Jack Nicklaus as only the second man to claim three Players victories.
The key to success is simple. 💬#THEPLAYERS pic.twitter.com/vOxwAaiQG8
— THE PLAYERS (@THEPLAYERS) March 11, 2025
Of course, Sawgrass’ most famous test comes at the Island Green on the 17th, with the 137-yard hole featuring a 78-foot green surrounded by water inspiring both excitement and peril.
In last year’s Championship, there were a record-breaking three aces at the 17th along with 80 birdies. However, there were also 39 shots into the water.
The 17th is emblematic of the course as a whole. While big hitters can obviously prosper at Sawgrass, it is a course that is most rewarding of accuracy and strong approach play.
As such, it is no surprise that a player of Scheffler’s remarkably well-rounded talent has thrived in recent years. Yet there’s reason for hope that could be toppled this year.
Scheffler’s streak of nine consecutive top-10 finishes in signature events came to an end last week at Bay Hill, finishing tied-11th as Russell Henley edged Collin Morikawa to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational. And the reality is that, though he was tied-third at the Genesis Invitational prior to that, Scheffler has not been close to his brilliant best in the 2025 season.
The danger for those aiming to prevent him writing another chapter in the history books is that a return to Sawgrass could spark a significant upturn in his game.
Where is it being held?
At iconic TPC Sawgrass in the Jacksonville suburb of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Odds and Favorites to Win The Players Championship
| Player | Odds to Win |
| Scottie Scheffler | +500 |
| Collin Morikawa | +1200 |
| Rory McIlroy | +1400 |
| Ludvig Åberg | +1600 |
| Justin Thomas | +2500 |
Odds accurate as of 01:11 pm GMT March 12, via bet365.
How to watch
The coverage of the Players Championship will be split between Golf Channel and NBC. The NBC coverage can be streamed on Peacock, while Golf Channel’s coverage is available on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports App. Additionally, PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will be offering online streaming coverage.
Prediction
Scheffler is understandably a massive favorite, but form is very much not on his side. Having only been denied by a miraculous chip in for eagle at the 16th by Henley at Bay Hill, Morikawa looks a much stronger bet to prevail for what would be his first Players victory.
Morikawa’s game fits Sawgrass extremely well, but the same can be said of a pair of Europeans who figure to be in the mix if they maintain the impressive play they have produced to his point in 2025.
Only a nightmare third-round 76 last Saturday prevented Shane Lowry (+4000) from making the most of an outstanding start to the Arnold Palmer Invitational that saw him lead at the halfway mark. The Irishman, who ultimately finished seventh at Bay Hill, has three top 20s at Sawgrass to his name and a hole-in-one at the 17th on his resume.
HOLE-IN-ONE AT THE ISLAND GREEN 🚨@ShaneLowryGolf makes the 10th ace on No. 17 in @THEPLAYERSChamp history. pic.twitter.com/HqSYe4XuZh
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 13, 2022
Last week marked Lowry’s second top-10 of the season. It feels like a win is right around the corner, however, the best European challenge may instead come from his likely future Ryder Cup teammate, Sepp Straka (+3500)
Straka has already prevailed this season, winning at The American Express. The Austrian has six top-20s to his name in 2025 and was tied-fifth at Bay Hill. Ninth in strokes gained approach to green this season, Straka is a perfect fit for Sawgrass, and he looms as a clear threat to prevent Scheffler retaining the title again.
