PGA Tour Betting Picks and Guide: PLAYERS Championship (2022)
The unofficial “fifth major” will go off this weekend in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida in the form of the 2022 PLAYERS Championship. In an event with a purse of $20 million and the winner taking home $3.6 million, most of the biggest names in golf will be on hand.
Let’s take a closer look at the course and field at large, and key in on who I think could find themselves atop the stacked leaderboard come Sunday. Coming in at just over 7,200 yards, distance will be less of a factor for these guys, but accuracy will be of more concern with a total of 17 holes having water in play.
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Previous Winners of the PLAYERS Championship
- 2021: Justin Thomas
- 2020: N/A
- 2019: Rory McIlroy
- 2018: Webb Simpson
- 2017: Kim Si-Woo
Course Preview (TPC at Sawgrass)
The Stadium Course at TPC at Sawgrass will once again play host to this week’s festivities, and if history is any indications should provide for some very difficult golf.
With both the Par 4s and Par 5s coming in at manageable distances maxing out at 583 and 481 yards, respectively, long iron play is critical for success here. As we’ve seen through the Florida events, Bermuda greens will be the surface of choice this week.
For many casual golf fans, TPC at Sawgrass’s iconic 17th hole dubbed the “Island Green”, will be the most recognizable part of this week’s events. With wind gusts currently in the teens and rain forecasted throughout the weekend, the 17th will certainly be on many players’ minds.
Relevant Betting Stats
- Driving Accuracy
- SG: Approach
- Putting: Bermuda Greens
Outright Betting Picks
Hideki Matsuyama (+3100 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
I’ve watched this number come down throughout the week since opening at +3500, down all the way to +2500 at DraftKings. And for very good reason.
For those in the field with at least 10 rounds played at Sawgrass, Matsuyama ranks #2 in overall Strokes Gained at 2.18. Prior to last year’s cut following an opening-round 76, Matsuyama had two top 10s in his prior four starts. That doesn’t even include a 2020 edition in which he shot a course record (tied) 63 in the first round before the event was canceled due to the pandemic.
As far as recent form goes, Matsuyama has been dialed in to start the season with six top 20s which include two outright wins. It’s also worth mentioning he hasn’t missed a cut since August.
As dialed in as anyone in this week’s field, I like for Matsuyama to be in contention come Sunday at Sawgrass.
- For more PLAYERS Championship betting advice, check out our PGA Betting Picks: Best Prop Bets for the PLAYERS Championship (2022).
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