McIlroy the man to beat despite Sawgrass allergy
World number one Rory McIlroy is the clear favourite to win the Players Championship following his strong showing at Quail Hollow last week.
Rory McIlroy has described his decision to miss the 2011 Players Championship as “not one of my brightest moments”, although his record at the TPC at Sawgrass perhaps offers insight into why he chose to skip what is sometimes described as the unofficial fifth major of the year.
In his only two appearances at the venue to date he missed the cut on both occasions and he has failed to break par in any of his four rounds.
He has also admitted in the past to not liking the “awkward” golf course, which hardly supports his billing as clear favourite for this week’s title.
Nevertheless, his strong showing at the Wells Fargo Championship last week and his recent record on the US PGA Tour indicate he is still the man to beat and the best bet for the win at odds of 10/1.
| Primera Division | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mallorca | 1-1 | Betis Sevilla | £130.00 | (11/2) |
| Mallorca | 2-1 | Betis Sevilla | £175.00 | (31/4) |
| Mallorca | 1-0 | Betis Sevilla | £180.00 | (8/1) |
| Mallorca win | £49.00 | (29/20) | ||
| Draw | £70.00 | (5/2) | ||
| Betis Sevilla win | £53.00 | (33/20) | ||
The world number one might have lost in a play-off to Rickie Fowler at Quail Hollow, but rounds of 70, 68, 66 and 70 at least proved that he is in good touch after his four week lay-off following the US Masters.
The world number one might have lost in a play-off to Rickie Fowler at Quail Hollow, but rounds of 70, 68, 66 and 70 at least proved that he is in good touch after his four week lay-off following the US Masters.
McIlroy finished in a disappointing tie for 40th at Augusta but put this down to a couple of bad days at the office.
More relevant, perhaps, are the top five finishes he has secured in his other four appearances on the US PGA Tour this season – a run of form which suggests he will be in contention on the final day at Sawgrass at the very least.
But if McIlroy’s aversion to Sawgrass gets the better of him once more, which of the big guns are best placed to grab the win?
While always dangerous to do so, it could be worth looking past Tiger Woods, who is joint-fourth favourite to win his second tournament of the year at 22/1.
Tiger has only won the tournament once – which is perhaps surprising given his dominance of the game over the last 15 years – and has withdrawn injured in his last two appearances.
He also missed the cut at Quail Hollow last week, which is only the eighth time he has failed to make the weekend as a professional.
At 14/1, Lee Westwood and Luke Donald look safer bets to be vying for victory, with both having finished in the top five on their last visit to TPC at Sawgrass.
Both are in good touch, too, with a 66 from Westwood on the final day at Quail Hollow helping him to a share of fifth at the Wells Fargo Championship, while Donald finished third in his last outing at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Even so, with McIlroy in contention on such a regular basis it is easiest to envisage the 23-year-old US Open champion picking up the winner’s cheque – even if he might not enjoy the challenges of TPC at Sawgrass as much as he would like.
New customers can register here to claim a free £25 bet or click here to see all our golf odds.
Follow us on Twitter @bwinbetting