Players Championship Tips

The fact he finished second here in 2005 is the clincher for a bet and Paddy Power's each-way terms of a quarter the odds the first six places are the icing on the cake.

Just about the strongest field of the year is heading to Sawgrass this week for the Players Championship, unofficially known as the 'fifth' major.

The Course: TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (par-72, 7,215 yards)
The course is now much firmer, faster and more challenging since being completely relaid with Bermuda grass after the 2006 event. However, its famous 17th hole - a par 3 with an island green - is still there in all its glory, while the par-4 18th is as tricky as ever. With water in play on many holes and the greens generally well-protected, this is a course that rewards accuracy off the tee and fairway. There are four par-5's - the 2nd, 9th, 11th and 16th, which offers the best birdie / eagle chances.

Ross' Top Tip: Retief Goosen @ 40/1 Paddy Power (1/4 odds, six places)
While Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are both previous winners of this event, their overall form here is not that great (by their standards) so I for one am quite happy to delve a little deeper down the betting list for the winner. Last week's Quail Hollow winner Sean O'Hair (28/1 bet365) was tempting as this was a tournament he nearly won in 2007 before finding water at the notorious 17th, but when I came to the 'Goose' at 40/1 I thought 'that'll do for me!'.

Good putting is essential at Sawgrass and there aren't many players better than the South African when it comes to holing out from within 10 feet. It was his putting that ultimately won him the Transitions Championship in March, also played on Bermuda greens, and I liked the way he bounced back to finish 11th last week after missing the cut in the Masters. The fact he finished second here in 2005 is the clincher for a bet and Paddy Power's each-way terms of a quarter the odds the first six places are the icing on the cake.

Next Best: Zach Johnson @ 55/1 Stan James (1/4 odds, six places)
Likewise, Johnson looks way too big at 55/1 with Stan James, who also offer the sixth place concession. That price looks an over-reaction to last week's final round collapse. Prior to his closing 76, he had played some sublime golf to set the pace after three rounds and his fairways and greens style of golf is perfectly suited to Sawgrass.

Outsider: Chad Campbell @ 80/1 bet365
The Texan might still be feeling some disappointment after losing out in a play-off for the Masters, but he has a good track record in this event having finished tenth last year and sixth in 2003 and would surely deserve a title as prestigious as this. I was expecting 50/1 or 66/1 at best, so the 80/1 about him is huge.

Ross' 72-Hole Match Bet: Retief Goosen to beat Ernie Els @ 10/11 William Hill

Tournament Lay (Betfair): Tiger Woods (if in contention after three rounds)
The Tiger appears to have lost his bite in recent weeks. Aside from Bay Hill, he has been struggling for strong finishes and let another winning opportunity slip last week when he could manage only a level-par 72 in the final round to finish fourth, two shots adrift of the leader.

Recommended Bets:
Retief Goosen 1pt each-way 40/1 Paddy Power (1/4 odds, six places)
Zach Johnson 1pt each-way @ 55/1 Stan James (1/4 odds, six places)
Chad Campbell 1pt each-way @ 80/1 bet365

 

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Tags: Chad Campbell,  Ernie Els,  Golf Betting,  PGA Tour,  Phil Mickelson,  Players Championship,  Retief Goosen,  Sawgrass,  Tiger Woods,  Zach Johnson