The 2022 Players Championship is here, and we want to help you win some money and fantasy golf pools.
So we got three of our smartest golf minds together to give you a cheat sheet for the week ahead — who are the best bets? Which golfer should you pick in your one-and-done pool? Who’s a lock to finish top-10? What are some prop bets you should throw down a few bucks on?
We’ve got all of that below and more as a star-studded field gets set to tee off Thursday at TPC Sawgrass. Let’s break down some good bets and picks this week:
(All odds via Tipico.)
1
Who's winning?
(Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Andy: Jon Rahm (+1200). Yes, he’s the favorite so you could make the argument that i’m a gutless scaredy-cat born without the ability to take chances and, well, I’d shake your hand and call you correct! But whatever. Rahm is the No. 1 player in the world, he’s made all four cuts in his previous appearances here, he finished T9 last year (T12 in 2019), and has three top-10 finishes already in 2022. He’s never won a Players before and that will change this week.
Blake: Collin Morikawa (+1500). I’ll be the first to admit I’m in a dark place following Rory McIlroy’s collapse at Bay Hill last week. I was certain after his first two rounds there was no way to he could blow this. Dear reader, I was very wrong. So what better time to turn to the youths for a brighter future? Morikawa has played in four tournaments since October and has finished no worse than seventh in any of them. Sounds safe enough, to me.
Charles: Justin Thomas (+1300) won this thing last year, and while that might deter me, he’s playing some of the best golf of his career. So, why not?
2
Who's a lock to finish top 10?
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Andy: Cameron Smith (+350). The man with the beautiful mullet lives like 10 minutes away from Sawgrass and already has a win on the season so I think this is a good bet. He had a personal-best T17 here a year ago.
Blake: Viktor Hovland (+240). Ok, so Hovland missed the cut in his only-ever appearance at The Players last year, but he’s too hot to ignore this year. In seven events played this season, Hovland has three top 10 finishes and has missed the cut just once.
Charles: Brooks Koepka (+425). I know, it’s not quite the fit it should be. But I like the odds and I know that Koepka dials in for big tournaments, so I’ll throw a few bucks on him.
3
Who's missing the cut?
Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
Andy: Rory McIlroy (+280). McIlroy got beat up last weekend at a very difficult Bay Hill and could still feel the effects of that this week. Throw in some bad weather which is expected on Thursday and Friday and I could see frustrations leading to an early exit for McIlroy, who won here in 2019 but missed the cut here last year by 10 strokes.
Blake: Hideki Matsuyama (+200). Do I really think Hideki misses the cut? No. Will I sprinkle a little on these odds after he missed the cut at TPC Sawgrass in 2021 and 2018? Absolutely.
Charles: I’m going with Andy. McIlroy (+280) fell apart last week, so I’m thinking he struggles again and doesn’t make it to the weekend.
4
Who's a longshot you like?
Andy: Jason Kokrak (+8000 to win). I played with him last week in the Arnold Palmer Invitational Pro-Am and his game was looking really good. He quietly has four wins since late in 2020 so this isn’t a crazy pick at all.
Blake: Billy Horschel (+5000 to win). With three Top-10 finishes (six top 25) this year, here’s hoping the 35-year-old finally breaks through at TPC Sawgrass, where he’s never finished better than 13th—and that was back in 2015.
Charles: Shane Lowry (+4000 to win) intrigues me. He finished second at the Honda Classic and eighth here last year. At those odds? Why not?
5
Fantasy one-and-done pick
Andy: Jon Rahm. The winner gets $3.6 million bucks and if your one-and-done league goes by points per dollar earned then you need to take a big name here. Rahm is the guy this week.
Blake: Colin Morikawa, because a top 15 finish feels inevitable, though probably less so now that I typed it out.
Charles: I am probably taking Morikawa and saving Rahm for a major. But I think Thomas is a lock to finish in the top 10 and a big payday.
6
Prop bets!
First Round Leader
Andy: Adam Scott (+6000)
Blake: Tommy Fleetwood (+7000)
Charles: Tyrell Hatton (+5000)
Will there be a playoff?
Andy: No (-649)
Blake: Yes (+350)
Charles: No (-649)
Will there be a Hole in One?
Andy: Yes (-250)
Blake: Yes (-250)
Charles: Yes (-250)
72 Hole Match Bet: Jon Rahm vs. Collin Morikawa
Andy: Rahm (-125)
Blake: Morikawa (+105)
Charles: Morikawa (+105)
Top English
Andy: Paul Casey (+480)
Blake: Ian Poulter (+900)
Charles: Tyrell Hatton (+380)
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