Unofficial Fifth Major Next PGA Tour Stop
The winner at The Players Championship is often someone who has yet to win a major, so Max Homa could be the best of our golf picks this week.
TPC Sawgrass hosts the unofficial fifth major, which has been won by some of the game’s greatest golfers.
Golf odds are generous, so strap in for one of the most exciting tournaments on the PGA Tour.
Money for Homa
There has been a stack of money coming in for Homa, who opened at around +4000 and now sits at +850.
He is having a great year with a win at the Farmers Insurance Open. He has also finished close-up in many other tournaments, so the American has every chance to win The Players this week.
The 32-year-old is a six-time winner on the PGA Tour, but he has yet to fire in big tournaments. His record in majors isn’t great, and although The Players isn’t a major, it may as well be.
Golf lines have taken an interest in Homa for a reason, and he’s the type of player who often wins this tournament. Players such as Sergio Garcia, Cameron Smith and Rickie Fowler have won, so Homa fits the bill.
While the drop in odds lessens the value, we wouldn’t leave him off our ticket.
- Pick: Max Homa +850
2019 Champion Returns
Rory McIlroy won the 2019 Players Championship over Jim Furyk of all people, so having a history of winning this tournament helps.
The Northern Irishman came within one stroke of winning the Arnold Palmer Classic last week, so he’s playing well.
“If I look back on today the one thing I’ll rue is the tee shot on 14,” McIlroy said after his round. “I birdied 13 and got on to 14 tee and I honestly thought I was still like one or two behind the lead. As I was walking to the 14th green, I looked behind me at the scoreboard, and I was leading by one. And if I had known that, I wouldn’t have tried to play the shot that I played on 14, which was unfortunate.”
Despite having not won the PGA Tour since the CJ Cup in October, McIlroy has been knocking on the door. The former world No. 1 is the current second favorite with online gambling markets at +600.
It’s a fair price for someone who is playing well enough to win, but he needs to shoot a better opening round. He started poorly at Bay Hill before catching the field, so we would love to see him start well on Thursday.
- Pick: Rory McIlroy +600
From absolutely nowhere, Rory McIlroy takes the solo lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational! pic.twitter.com/ozA4YbIoYT
— Golf Monthly (@GolfMonthly) March 5, 2023
Thomas Wants Second Players Win
Justin Thomas is a 15-time PGA Tour winner, but has not won since the 2022 PGA Championship is playing on his mind.
He shot +2 on Sunday at Bay Hill after being in contention, so we’re needing him to bounce back. Golf news suggests he isn’t happy with his swing, but the 2021 Players champion has class on his side.
Counting out a player with two majors on his record would be a mistake. The sportsbook has Thomas at +800, so they’re respecting his chances.
We just want to see some spark back from Thomas. He used to be very vocal before getting into trouble for saying something on the mic. However, he want to see his fire and passion come out at TPC Sawgrass.
If it does, the +800 will be a value price for one of the best players in the world.
- Pick: Justin Thomas +800
Theegala Under the Radar
Sahith Theegala is exactly the type of player who could win The Players.
The former top amateur has won on the PGA Tour this season, and although it came in a pairs event, he has played well since.
“It’s pretty special. It’s nice to get a little taste of competition and taste of victory because it’s so hard out here,” Theegala said. “So many great players. So it’s nice to get a little taste of that.”
He finished T14 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which followed a T6 finish at the Genesis Invitational. Anything close to that form would be good enough to figure in the finish at Sawgrass.
Bettors get +1600 for Theegala, who has firmed in massively from a much bigger opening quote.
- Pick: Sahith Theegala +1600
