Dan Roebuck’s PGA Tour preview: Players Championship

Since the Players Championship moved behind the Masters in the calendar, no golfer has managed to win them both in the same year. However, there’s every chance that Adam Scott can do just that when the PGA Tour rocks up at Sawgrass for the tournament known as the ‘Fifth Major’.

The 2013 Augusta champion is a former winner of this tournament, which celebrates its 40th renewal this year, and was crowned its youngest ever champion at the age of just 23, when he claimed the title in Jacksonville in 2004.

Then, he used a conventional putter, now he wields a longer one – one that has provided the winners of four of the last six majors. And it’s his ability in and around the greens, not to mention his strong iron play, which should surely see him contend again this year at 16/1.

He was 15th in 2012 and has racked up two other top-10 finishes since his success a decade ago. Experience is always a factor at Sawgrass, where it’s difficult to say what the key component is that makes a golfer successful. Pete Dye’s devilish layout, which of course lists the infamous par three 17th that features an island green as its signature hole, has suffered from a deluge in recent weeks which could make the course play longer – and that will only help the big-hitting Scott.

Another former champion – Tim Clark – could also prosper at 66/1. The South African won here in 2010 before injury curtailed a serious upswing in form. However, 11th in the Masters recently, along with three early season top 10s, points to a resurgence for this straightest of drivers.

Lastly, Kevin Streelman could spring a surprise at a massive price of 80/1 following his win in Tampa and top-six efforts in both his most recent starts.

My three to follow – Scott, Clark and Streelman.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.