Our golf expert Sarah Stirk picks out six likely candidates for victory in the '5th major' this weekend...
Jim Furyk – 25/1
The soon-to-be 45 year old is in a rich vein of form.
He picked up his 17th PGA Tour title recently at the RBC Heritage, after countless near misses and numerous questions about his nerve, plus he had a great run at the WGC Matchplay losing in the semi final to Rory McIlroy.
He’s one of the most consistent performers on tour and the win at Hilton Head provided a huge amount of relief so confidence at the moment is sky high.
Add to that he is a Ponte Vedra resident so this is a home game for Jim and his record at TPC Sawgrass is impressive, he was 2nd here to Martin Kaymer just last year.
Sergio Garcia – 33/1
From a European perspective, Sergio is one of our big hopes at the tournament known as the unofficial 5th Major.
He absolutely loves this event and the course (which typically favours the top ball strikers, of which the Spaniard is one of the very best.)
Sergio has plenty of form at Sawgrass; he won the title in 2008, was 3rd here last year and T8 in 2013 – where a bad final round and the infamous 17th cost him.
He looks very comfortable on the greens right now and I’d love to see Garcia contend this week and maybe even make it a Players double.
Lee Westwood – 40/1
Many have been pleased to see Westwood playing well this year, and he is in the winning mode having picked up his third Indonesian Masters title last month.
TPC Sawgrass is a course very well suited to Westwood’s game. It rewards long, straight drivers of the golf ball, one of the Englishman’s great strengths.
That statistic is backed up with some good performances over the last couple of years, he was T8 in 2013 and T6 last year.
There’ll be many looking for a big week from Lee, in his adopted home state of Florida.
Marc Leishman – 100/1
As an outside bet, I love Leishman’s chances this week.
The Aussie has form around this layout, he was T8 a couple of years ago and although not outstanding, recorded a top 25 finish here last year, closing with a final round 67.
He’s also playing well, having reached the last 16 of the World Matchplay, winning all three of his group matches including victory over the in-form Justin Rose.
Leishman missed the Masters due to his wife being seriously ill, so he’s playing with a certain amount of freedom and relief right now with things back to normal in the family unit.
Gary Woodland – 80/1
Momentum is a big thing to take into account in golf and Woodland has bucket loads of it right now.
The big hitting American comes off a great week at the Matchplay, losing in the final to McIlroy, which is why I like his chances of playing well at The Players.
It’s a course which matches up well for him as he can utilise his strength and power. He’ s also proved he can play well around here finishing in a tie for 11th a year ago.
He’s had a pretty mixed season so far but there’s no doubting his talent. I’m hoping he maintains his current form as he is a streaky performer but look for another big week from Woodland.
Henrik Stenson – 20/1
For Stenson, it’s about peaking for the Majors as he continues his quest to land one of the games four big titles.
However, The Players ranks very highly on the Swedes list of priority events and it’s one of the ones he looks forward to the most each year.
No wonder, he’s a former winner having picked up the title in ice cool fashion in 2009 and he’s had a couple of near misses on the PGA Tour this season.
Like many of the games top pros, it’s a short drive from his home in Orlando for this week’s event. Could a first win of 2015 be just around the corner for Henrik?
