* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
WELCOME TO PADDY POWER NEWS
Outright winner
Jon Rahm
Unoriginal, I’m afraid, but I do like Jon Rahm. He’s been single-figure prices for every start this year, we’re getting a little bit more this time which is a reflection of the strongest field this year.
I really like him as a course fit for Sawgrass, he was the man to beat in 2019 until the 12st hole on Sunday where he made an immature mistake. He’s obviously become a Major champion since then.
He was right on the heels of the leaders going into the final round last year so he’s put the foundations in place for a big week. In terms of his recent play he was the best player in the whole field from tee-to-green at Bay Hill he’s just had a couple of shockers with the putter.
He’s putted well here before and he is the world No.1 and I thought this was a really good time to back him.
Hideki Matsuyama
We’ll go with Hideki Matsuyama next. He’s done us a few favours over the last year and a nice winner in the Sony Open to kick us off at 20s. He’s a bit longer here, the field strength is part of that, but he’s got a fabulous record here at Sawgrass.
It reminds me of Augusta. He spent seven, eight, years putting it all together for that one week where it all came together at The Masters. The fact that he’s won twice since tells you what that’s done for his confidence which had been fragile.
He’d gone four years without winning and now he’s won three times in 12 months. Everything’s in his favour if the putter can get going. He shot a -9 63 here in 2020 which was wiped from the history books so he could have won this event already. It owes him one and I won’t be surprised if it goes in this week.
1st Round Leader
Sergio Garcia
I do like Sergio Garcia, he absolutely adores the place. Obviously a former Players Champion. In terms of getting off to a hot start he’s done it so many times in this event. He’s lead twice after round one including last year and he’s been starting really fast recently as well.
Everything’s in his favour, really. I just feel with Sergio, happy to be proven wrong of course, but winning an event like this now might be a bit beyond him. I don’t think a hot start is, so I’m happy to play at a big price.
Charley Hoffman
Charley Hoffman, if you look at his career, when he gets off to hot starts he does it in bursts and he’ll have four or five weeks where he’ll be first round leader, he’ll place a couple of times as well.
So to see him being 3rd after day one on each of his last two starts, it’s really quite encouraging. In both cases he struggled thereafter but that actually kind of helps because it means that he’s hidden away a little bit.
He’s led after round one here in the past and it’s a course where he’s got a mixed record. We only need 18 good holes and Charley Hoffman’s done that time and time again down the years.
* Read more of Ben Coley’s top tips at SportingLife.com
The Players Championship tips
Outright winner
Jon Rahm
Hideki Matsuyama
1st Round Leader
Sergio Garcia
Charley Hoffman
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
WATCH OUR BRAND-NEW JAMIE REDKNAPP INVESTIGATES SERIES
- Paddy sends Jamie on mission to discover truth about half-and-half scarves
- Jamie goes face to face with vicious online football Twitter trolls
- Jamie Redknapp grills people who still call the Premier League the ‘Premiership’