Dive into our guide for Players Championship tips, betting odds and our recommendations for the best online bookies for the tournament. Known as the fifth major, the Players is regarded as the most prestigious event on the PGA Tour outside of the four globally recognised golf majors. There will be a load of betting opportunities with the top bookmakers setting their stall out as the season gathers pace. The best golfers in the world will be there, with Rory McIlroy aiming to retain his title, Scottie Scheffler gunning for his third victory in the Players and other top talents, such as US Open Champion J.J. Spaun, looking to make an impact. Read on to discover more.
- 1 Players Championship Betting Tips
- 2 The Players Championship Odds
- 3 Most Popular Players Championship Betting Markets
- 4 Best Bookmakers for Players Championship Golf Betting
- 5 Additional Players Championship Insights
- 6 Upcoming Golf Events
- 7 ThePuntersPage Final Say
- 8 The Players Championship FAQS
Players Championship Betting Tips
We have been keeping a close watching on the season so far and we have analysed performances over the past 12 months to compile our Players Championship betting tips.
The Players Championship tips are based on data and key information gathered on the players. It is important to note that, given the tournament is now in March, after the switch from May in 2019, the TPC Sawgrass is likely to be a bit wetter, so when looking at players who are likely to perform well on this type of course, we have factored this in. Check out our Players Championship tips.
Scottie Scheffler to Win
The odds are likely to be short, but we naturally expect Scheffler to be there or thereabouts. He showed incredible consistency in the Majors in 2025 with wins at the PGA Championship and the Open, backed up with a 4th place at the Masters and tying for seventh at the US Open. As well as sitting on top of the world rankings, the American is top of the tree for Strokes Gained (SG), meaning that he is consistently hitting high-quality shots. Scheffler won at Sawgrass in 2023 and 2024, so he can clearly cope with the demands of the course. Last year, the New Jersey native tied for 20th as he worked his way back to fitness after a hand injury sustained when cooking Christmas dinner. Providing he avoids any culinary catastrophe’s, he will feature highly in any Players Championship predictions.
Rory McIlroy to Win
This is another prediction that won’t win any prizes for originality, but Rory McIlroy is likely to be slugging it out with Scheffler. McIlroy streamlined his schedule in 2025 and was rewarded with a win here at Sawgrass and in the Masters, completing his set of Majors. The stats show that the Northern Irishman made a significant improvement to his putting during last year. Already one of the world’s best drivers, this has given him an even greater edge. As well as his victory last year, McIlroy won here in 2019. The course clearly suits his game, and we think he has a strong chance of landing his third Players title.
J.J. Spaun to make the top 10
2025 was a real breakthrough year for J.J. Spaun. The American landed his first Major at the US Open and finished runner-up to McIlroy at the Players Championship. Ranked 11th in the world at the time of writing, we are backing him to impress at Sawgrass again.
Shane Lowry to make the top 10
The Irishman’s game is perfectly suited to the course at Sawgrass and if he hits form, he is a great outside bet for the top 10 after top 20 finishes in 2025, 2024 and 2022. He finished eighth in 2021. Lowry’s performance in the Ryder Cup last Autumn shows that he can still mix with the best. His accuracy and ability to negotiate hazards could see him challenge after a steady start to 2026.
INFO
Strokes Gained (SG) is a metric that highlights if a shot is better or worse than the average. The baseline is zero and can be used across multiple groups, including Off-The-Tee (SG:OTT), Approach (SG:APP) shots, Around the Green (SG:ATG) and Putting (SG:Putting). Positive numbers indicate that a shot was better than average, while negative numbers indicate that the shot was worse. It’s a great way to decipher how well a player performs without simply looking at their final score or finishing position.
The Players Championship Odds
We bring you the pre-tournament Players Championship betting odds from the best betting sites in the UK.
| Player | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | 7/2 | BetMGM |
| Rory McIlroy | 9/1 | BetMGM |
| Tommy Fleetwood | 22/1 | bet365 |
| Xander Schaufele | 22/1 | BetMGM |
| Collin Morikawa | 25/1 | BetMGM |
| Ludvig Aberg | 28/1 | bet365 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | 30/1 | Unibet |
| Viktor Hovland | 33/1 | Unibet |
| Si Woo Kim | 33/1 | BetMGM |
| Chris Gotterup | 35/1 | Unibet |
| Russell Henley | 35/1 | Unibet |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | 40/1 | BetMGM |
| Robert McIntyre | 40/1 | BetMGM |
Most Popular Players Championship Betting Markets
The Players Championship is the most important tournament outside of the Majors, meaning that the bookies will provide a full range of markets, giving you plenty of betting options. It is extremely important to understand these different Players Championship golf betting markets to maximise value. We have provided details on 10 key areas.
This is a straightforward bet to understand. Pick the golfer who you think will win the tournament and place your bet. If they win, your bet pays out, if they finish second or below, you get nothing. It is not, however, a straightforward bet to get right. The field could be as many as 160 deep and the sheet quality makes it a difficult task to pick a winner.
A two-part bet. Half your stake is on the player to win, and half is on them to place. The number of places paid will vary depending on the bookie. Odds are determined as a fraction of the win bet, usually between 1/4 and 1/6 odds. Given the depth and quality of the field at the Players Championship, this is a market you might want to think about.
With this market, you are betting on the golfer who will be top of the Players Championship golf leaderboard after a specific round. First round betting is the most popular of these markets. If multiple players are tied, then dead heat rules will apply.
Again, in a high-level field of this size, betting on a golfer to finish in the first five, 10 or 20 could be the way to go. If you feel that a player is in form, you will be able to bet on them finishing within a particular threshold. The Players Championship betting tips our experts have produced include predictions for players to hit the top 10.
Bet on the winner of 2 or 3-ball pairings. For example, a 2-ball might be Rory McIlroy v Shane Lowry. Depending on the type of betting market, you’re picking the player with the lowest score for the round or the tournament.
This market is like 2/3 ball betting, but these matchups are not necessarily in the same group. The bookmaker creates hypothetical head-to-heads with players who are similar in form or outright winner odds.
This market excludes heavy favourites from outright winner bets, with odds adjusted accordingly. The markets will become very interesting if you remove Scheffler and/or McIlroy. If, for example, you are betting on a without Scheffler market and he wins, then the winner is paid out based on the runner-up.
In a tournament such as the Players Championship, you will be able to bet on a variety of markets for individual players. For example, if you were betting on Xander Schauffele, you could wager on him finishing in the top five or top 10, making the cut, missing the cut or being the first-round leader.
Here, you are wagering on how many shots the winner will win by. Some bookmakers have this as single-digit shots, while others allow you to pick ranges of shots, for example, 1-2 or 2-3 for the Players Championship.
There are more hole-in-one’s than you would think. The average works out at roughly one every other tournament on the PGA Tour. Many of the best bookmakers in the UK will have this as a bet for the entire field, however, some will enable you to bet on individual players, lengthening the odds.
Best Bookmakers for Players Championship Golf Betting
We have scrutinised the best golf bookmakers to produce our list of recommended betting platforms for your Players Championship wagers.
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Founded:
2000
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(11):
Bet £10 & Get £30 18+. Registration Required. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Funded account or place a bet to qualify. Geo location and live streaming rules apply. Time limits and Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.10
Max. withdrawal: £100,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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Founded:
1946
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(5):
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets 18+ New customers only. Opt in, deposit & bet £10 (odds 2.00+) within 7 days of registration. Get £30 in Free Bets for selected markets, 7 days expiry. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.05
Max. withdrawal: £50,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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Founded:
2019
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(10):
Bet £20, Get £40 in Free Bets 18+ New UK customers. Min £20 first deposit. Place a bet of £20 at min odds of 2/1 (3.0) and get £40 in Free Bets within 48 hours. Restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.05
Max. withdrawal: £100,000,000
Min. deposit: £10
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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Founded:
1926
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(8):
Bet £5 Get £30 in Free Bets 18+ New UK + ROI customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 6 x £/€5 free bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days, stakes not returned). Restrictions + Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.01
Max. withdrawal: £250,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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Founded:
1994
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(4):
Bet £10 Get £20 18+, New customers only. Opt in, deposit & bet £10 on any sports (odds 2.00+) in 7 days. No cash out. Get 4x£5 sports free bets for set markets (odds 2.00+), which expire in 7 days. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.05
Max. withdrawal: £50,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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Founded:
2003
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(10):
100% up to £50 Welcome Bonus 18+ New players. Choose bonus at signup. Wager bonus 10x. Any withdrawals void bonus. Valid 30 days. Deposit used 1st. Odds, bet & payment limits. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.10
Max. withdrawal: £50,000
Min. deposit: £10
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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Founded:
1999
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(6):
Bet £10, Get up to £60 in Free Bets 18+ New customers only. Place a £10 fixed odds single or £10 each-way bet at minimum odds of 1/2 and get 3 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 3 x £5 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x £5 Winning Favourites spread bets and a £1 racing Race Index spread bet. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £1.00
Max. withdrawal: £25,000
Min. deposit: £1
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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Founded:
1989
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(9):
Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets 18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.01
Max. withdrawal: £50,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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|
Founded:
1967
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(7):
Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets 18+ New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.10
Max. withdrawal: £20,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
|
|
Founded:
1886
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(10):
Bet £5 Get £30 in Free Bets 18+ New UK+ROI Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 6 x £5 free bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days, stake not returned). Restrictions + Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.01
Max. withdrawal: £250,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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bet365: Great odds, deep markets and regular bet boosts
Chris Sampson: Our choice as the best betting site for the Players Championships is bet365. They have a wide range of markets, competitive Players Championships odds, a fantastic golf tracker and frequent bet boosts. Their mobile app makes betting on the move a breeze and their rock-solid reputation, along with their strong overall coverage of golf, makes them the go-to bookmaker for this tournament.
Additional Players Championship Insights
It is important to gather as much information as possible about events you are wagering on. We put a lot of time and effort into research when compiling our Players Championships tips. In order to help you with your betting strategy, we have provided some key information on the tournament.
Key Golfers to Watch
Outside of our Players Championship betting tips, we have highlighted several other quality players who could be poised to make an impact.
Hideki Matsuyama
A consistent presence in and around the top 15 in PGA Tour events, Hideki Matsuyama was fifth at Sawgrass in 2023 and tied for sixth the following year, demonstrating that he can handle the challenges of this course. He is one to watch and is certainly worth a bet for a top 10 finish.
Ludvig Aberg
Ludvig Aberg is currently 21st in the world rankings and will be looking to transition from promising young player to genuine Major contender in 2026. He finished eighth here in 2024, proving that he can handle the course and the conditions.
Corey Conners
Corey Conners tied for 6th at Sawgrass last year and then went on to bag two top 10 finishes in Majors. The Canadian, ranked 31st in the world at the time of writing, has previously finished seventh and tied for 13th at the Players. He is another one who seems to find the Players Championship golf course to his liking, thus being a great outside bet and an option for a top 10 or top 20 finish.
Tommy Fleetwood
Tommy Fleetwood is ranked third in the world and secured his eighth PGA Tour tournament win in 2025 at the DP World India Championship in October. Fleetwood tied for 14th at the Players Championship last year, and a fifth-place finish in 2019 shows that he can perform at this venue. Fleetwood has yet to win a Major and a strong performance at the Players would be a major boost to the 35-year-old as he looks to break that duck in 2026.
A Deep Dive into TPC Sawgrass: Course Analysis for Punters
Located in the Ponte Vedra Beach, North-East Florida, TPC Sawgrass is the home of the PGA, and The Players is their showpiece event. The course was originally designed by Pete Dye in 1980 before Steve Wenzloff completed the redesign in 2017, with input from Dye. The Players Championship moved from May to March, changing grass types from Celebration Bermuda Grass to Champion Fine Ryegrass. This enables players to attack the course more aggressively, as miscued shots are not punished as harshly.
The Players Championship golf course at Sawgrass is rated as the 15th most difficult on the PGA Tour. It is a tough challenge but, at 7,275 yards, is one of the shortest on the tour. Despite this, the data shows that players who can hit further off the tee perform well at Sawgrass. However, it is crucial that players understand the layout and take a strategic approach, given the water hazards on the 17th and 18th holes and the smaller than average greens. It is a genuine all-round test and, when looking for Players Championships tips and picks, it is important to look at players who can hit long but have the patience and accuracy to back it up.
What’s the Players Championship Golf Prize Money?
The Players Championship golf prize money adds up to $25 million, with $4.5 million going to the winner. While the prestige and status of this tournament as the most important outside the Majors, along with the timing in the season, are a big attraction to the best players, the tournament purse is a huge factor too.
So, expect the best players in the world to turn out and, as a result, expect the bookies to pull out all the stops in terms of markets and promos. If you are signing up to a bookie ahead of the tournament, check out their track record for bet boosts and extra places and use our guide to free bets and sign-up offers to see if you can use the welcome bonus for your Players Championship bets.
Recent Players Championship Results
We have produced a list of the previous winners of the Players Championship over the last 10 editions. By looking at the previous winners, you can get an idea of the type of player who usually performs well at Sawgrass.
| Year | Champion | Nationality | Score | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Rory McIlroy | Northern Ireland | 276 | 10/1 |
| 2024 | Scottie Scheffler | United States | 268 | 11/2 |
| 2023 | Scottie Scheffler | United States | 271 | 10/1 |
| 2022 | Cameron Smith | Australia | 275 | 30/1 |
| 2021 | Justin Thomas | United States | 274 | 18/1 |
| 2020 | Cancelled after round one due to the COVID – 19 pandemic | – | – | – |
| 2019 | Rory McIlroy | Northern Ireland | 272 | 12/1 |
| 2018 | Webb Simpson | United States | 270 | 60/1 |
| 2017 | Kim Si Woo | South Korea | 278 | 500/1 |
| 2016 | Jason Day | Australia | 273 | 10/1 |
| 2015 | Rickie Fowler | United States | 276 | 50/1 |
Upcoming Golf Events
No upcoming events.
ThePuntersPage Final Say
While the Players Championship is not a Major, it is the next most prestigious event in golf after those four iconic tournaments. It is played at a fantastic course for a large purse and attracts the best players in the world, making the competition as tough as a Major. Our guide brings you Players Championship tips and odds, along with a top list of recommended bookies, so you can select the operator that suits you. Use our guide to craft your betting strategy and enjoy wagering on some high-class golf.
The Players Championship FAQS
Bet365 and BOYLE Sports are the best bookmakers to bet on The Players Championship. Between them, they have the best odds, 3D shot tracking and pay up to 12 places for each-way markets.
You can find the best Players Championship tips in this guide.
Yes, you can use free bets to wager on the Players Championship, provided that the bookie allows you to use the bonus bets on golf.
The total Players Championship golf prize money is $25 million, with $4.5 million going to the winner.
Rory McIlroy won the Players Championship in 2025.
You can follow the Players Championship golf leaderboard at the bookmakers on our recommended list and at websites such as the BBC and Sky Sports. The tournament will be broadcasted on Sky Sports.