The 2022 Players Championship Betting Preview/Prop Picks
08 March 2022
The Players Championship is one of golf’s notoriously difficult courses. In addition, the top 48 out of 50 golfers in the world will be competing, so this is a loaded field.
This will not be a high-scoring affair rather a test for some of golf’s current greats. Every decision off the tee will be crucial, and precision will be key to victory.
Tournament Details
Date: March 10–13, 2022
Course: Players Stadium Course
Watch on: NBC, GOLF
Purse: $20,000,000
Betting Overview
Water will be in play for every hole except one, and there are heavy bunks to avoid as well. The greens are small and typically fast, which means putting will be more important than normal.
Accurate iron play is going to be key, and if a golfer is not spot on, you can forget about their chances. Wind will also be a factor, as it will change depending on each hole’s layout.
Head to Head Matchup to Watch
Jon Rahm (-24.814) and Rory McIlroy (-24.560) are two favorites that are expected to perform well. After Mcllroy had his meltdown on the final day at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, you have to wonder if this is a fluke or something worse.
As for Rahm, he is the current number one golfer in the world and needs to create some sort of dominant behavior to show that he continues to deserve that spot. Taking Rahm to perform better would be a solid choice.
Dunkel Index For This Event
The Dunkel Index is showing these top 10 golfers that could win this event. The following ten are:
1 Collin Morikawa -19.267
2 Viktor Hovland -20.104
3 Scottie Scheffler -23.920
4 Hideki Matsuyama -24.002
5 Mathew Fitzpatrick -24.259
6 Rory McIlroy -24.560
7 Jon Rahm -24.814
8 Cameron Smith -25.082
9 Patrick Cantlay -26.085
10 Tyrell Hatton -26.096
*index is subject to changes
Golfers That Could Win
Jon Rahm (-24.814) has not looked himself lately and has been in a funk. However, his entire game has not been negative, just random days in between solid performances. He is finally back at an event he likes, and he favors the greens here.
Scottie Scheffler (-23.920) has the best momentum out of any golfer coming into Sawgrass. With two victories out of the last three events, he has the hot hand, and it is surprising to see his odds not higher in the market.
Hideki Matsuyama (-24.002) has the third-best strokes gained per round at this event and has had some solid performances this year. If his putting is on, he has a shot to win or possibly stay ahead early.
Potential Winning Pick
Patrick Cantlay (-26.085) is as consistent as they come for the 2022 calendar year. In order, he finished ninth, tied fourth, runner up, and tied for 33. Other than the last one at Genesis, he has been a threat every time he competes.
Prop Picks
Head-To-Head: Collin Morikawa (-120) OVER Scottie Scheffler
The 25-year-old Morikawa has been nothing short of brilliant so far this year while finishing in the Top 5 in each of his last three tournaments, including a tie for second at the Genesis Invitational. He is currently ranked 1st in scoring average (69.181) and 2nd in greens in regulation percentage (76.04%).
Scheffler erased the tag of best-golfer-never-to-win with his victory at the WM Phoenix Open earlier this year. He liked it so much, he followed it up with his second victory last week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
With Morikawa rated No. 1 in this week’s Dunkel Index and Scheffler at No. 3, these two should be vying for the top spot all weekend, but take Morikawa (-120) to get the better of their head-to-head.
Head-To-Head: Jon Rahm (-120) OVER Justin Thomas
Rahm is always a threat to win and it’s been noticeable that he hasn’t been knocking on the door recently, finishing outside the Top 5 in each of his last three tournaments. Still, the numbers are there as he comes in ranked 4th in driving distance (319.4) and 1st in green is regulation percentage (76.28%).
Thomas is the defending champion at Sawgrass, but like Rahm, has been conspicuously absent from hoisting a trophy this year. History is working against him as a repeat champion since it has never happened in the tournament’s 48-year history.
With Rahm rated No. 7 in this week’s Dunkel Index and Thomas at No. 11, these two should also be battling atop the leaderboard, but take the Spaniard (-120) to edge out the defending champion in their head-to-head.
Head-To-Head: Viktor Hovland (-110) OVER Hideki Matsuyama
While Scheffler has stolen the early show with his two Tour victories in the last three weeks, Hovland has been right there as well. His 4th at the Genesis Invitational was followed by a 2nd last week at the Arnold Palmer.
The defending Masters champion, Matsuyama started off the year hot with a victory at the Sony Open in Hawaii. But he’s cooled recently, finishing in a tie for 39th at the Genesis and 20th at the Arnold Palmer.
With Hovland rated No. 2 in this week’s Dunkel Index and Matsuyama No. 4, this is another top flight matchup, but take the 24-year-old Norwegian (-110) to have the edge in the end.
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