Betting
The Players Championship 2026 Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
From Thursday, 12 March to Sunday, 15 March, TPC Sawgrass will play host to the 2026 edition of the Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. For many fans and betting enthusiasts, this tournament is often considered to be the unofficial fifth major on the calendar – and you can see why. It attracts the best players on the circuit and always delivers a compelling weekend of competitive golf, making it a standout event for punters exploring online sports betting options in the US.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland holds the Players trophy//Getty Images
Where to Watch the Players Championship 2026
Although coverage can be enjoyed on all major platforms, here is a closer look at your best options to enjoy all the action.
| Day | Streaming (ESPN+) | TV Coverage |
| Thursday | Morning featured groups | Golf Channel |
| Friday | Morning featured groups | Golf Channel |
| Saturday | Early coverage | Golf Channel / NBC |
| Sunday | Early coverage | Golf Channel / NBC |
Latest Odds and Win Probability
Each year, the Players Championship puts together one of the more competitive fields in the world of golf. Naturally, this makes it incredibly difficult to find an outright winner, but when you consider the odds available, you quickly understand why so many must place a wager.
| Player | Odds | Sportsbook |
| Scottie Scheffler | +900 | FanDuel Sportsbook |
| Rory McIlroy | +1100 | DraftKings Sportsbook |
| Xander Schauffele | +1600 | BetMGM |
| Collin Morikawa | +1800 | Caesars Sportsbook |
| Viktor Hovland | +2200 | BetRivers |
| Ludvig Åberg | +2500 | Hard Rock Bet |
TPC Sawgrass Course Fit: What Actually Matters for Bettors
A quick overview of the TPC Sawgrass sees the course boast a par 72, which is approximately 7,275 yards. Narrow fairways and water hazards can be found throughout the course and only add to the excitement of the weekend.
Skills that Travel Well Here
For the punter searching for the inside lane, these are the attributes that are often the most successful on this course.
- Elite approach plays to small, well-protected greens
- Driving accuracy rather than pure distance
- Scrambling ability when greens are missed
- Par-5 scoring efficiency
- Strong nerve under pressure
Players with a combination of these playing traits are usually ones to watch here.
Contenders to Watch
Favourites
- Scottie Scheffler: He will always be a player who attracts attention at these tournaments. His short game is incredible, and so, on a course like this, he will stand a chance. One of the more consistent players on the circuit, he could be a safe pick for players looking for so-called safer outright picks.
- Rory McIlroy: A former champion at this tournament, McIlroy’s recent form leaves very little room for critique of his driving and approach play. Assuming he is able to replicate this consistency on and around the green, he is certainly a favourite coming into this environment.
Challengers
- Xander Schauffele: It will be a difficult task to find players across the PGA Tour better than Schauffele. He isn’t necessarily a player associated with any one specific aspect of his game, but it is in that balance and diversity that he is able to find relevance in this field.
- Colin Morikawa: This is a player who is often let down by his putter in critical moments. He is a dangerous player to simply leave out, and if he finds confidence in the early exchanges, he could deliver when it matters most here.
- Viktor Hovland: His ball-striking ability alone ensures he is included on this list. He is simply one of the best hitters of a golf ball on this circuit, and given that he is beginning to improve his approach play, he must have a chance here.
Outsiders
- Tommy Fleetwood: His accuracy will always give him a chance on these sorts of circuits. He is a player who often finishes in the top 20, and so if he finds form here, he could get relevant at the business-end.
- Min Woo Lee: Not always a player who will be spoken about through the annals of golfing history, but a consistent and improving player who shouldn’t be overlooked as having an outside chance here.
Suggested Bets
Are our best bets for this weekend’s tournament?
Top 10 Finish — Collin Morikawa (+220) with DraftKings Sportsbook
Morikawa’s iron play fits this course perfectly, and his consistent ball-striking makes a top-10 finish a suggested and conservative bet.Outright Winner — Xander Schauffele (+1600) with BetMGM
Schauffele’s consistent performance in elite-field tournaments makes him a strong outright candidate. He is our outright pick this weekend.First-Round Leader — Tommy Fleetwood (+4000) with FanDuel Sportsbook
Fleetwood often starts tournaments quickly and has the precision required to navigate Sawgrass early in the week. He could be the shrewd bet for the early leader option.
Value Bets
For players happy to entertain bigger odds but with a little more risk, this section focuses on golfers who can spike one or two key stats this week. It also helps to compare prices across reputable USA golf bookmakers, so you get the best number available.
Outright Longshot — Min Woo Lee (+5000) with BetMGM
Lee’s aggressive style can generate birdie runs, especially on reachable par-5s. If he controls his mistakes, the upside is substantial.Top 10 Finish — Shane Lowry (+500) with DraftKings Sportsbook
Lowry’s strong short game and experience in difficult conditions make him an appealing mid-tier price.
Prediction: Xander Schauffele to Win
Xander Schauffele’s complete game makes him our pick to find success this weekend. He will look to maintain a degree of balance in his approach, but on a course which rewards strategic consistency – he looks to have the right weapons in his arsenal.
Ryan Liberty is an experienced sports writer whose work has been featured in a range of well-known sports publications.