By: Kipp Branch

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

We are a week away from returning to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida for The Players Championship.

The total purse of $20 million is a record for the tournament. The winner will take home over $2 million. Justin Thomas won the 2021 Championship with a score of -14 under par.

The Favorites:

John Rahm 10/1: Rahm is the current favorite to win the TPC. Rahm is playing exceptionally good golf so far this year with three top ten finishes.

He is coming into this tournament with his game peaking. At last year’s tournament, Rahm finished in a tie for ninth. He finished with a Sunday score of 73.

You must think if he can improve his play in the final round, he stands a good shot at winning.

Rahm is currently the top ranked player in the world. Rahm is the type of player that can dominate the competition if he gets hot.

Justin Thomas 14/1: Thomas comes in second to Rahm as betting odds go for this year’s tournament.

Since the event last year, Thomas has not won another tournament. Thomas currently ranked seventh in the World Golf Rankings and is still playing as one of the best players on tour.

He already has three Top-10 finishes this season, his latest coming at The Genesis Invitational. In the history of the Players Championship no player has ever won in back-to-back years. History is working against Thomas in this area.

Other Odds:

Collin Morikawa 16/1: The Open Champion plays well on tough golf venues.

Morikawa just seems to hover near the top of leaderboards in about every big event on the PGA Tour. If he is within striking distance on Sunday, then he will be a major factor in the outcome.

Patrick Cantlay 20/1: Cantlay is one cool customer on the golf course. Pressure does not seem to bother him at all. He has the mental makeup to win the TPC.

Do not be surprised if Cantlay is holding the TPC trophy at the conclusion of this year’s event. He is that good. Also do not be surprised if Cantlay does not win The Masters in April.

Will Zalatoris 50/1: Who does not want to see Will win the TPC?

Zalatoris will be a huge crowd favorite if he is in contention. This kid brings a ton of excitement to the game of golf. Players like Will Zalatoris provide a bright future for the PGA Tour.

The Course: THE PLAYERS STADIUM COURSE AT TPC SAWGRASS

The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass was built in 1980 to be the permanent home of THE PLAYERS Championship.

As the first true Stadium Course, it was designed to improve the overall on-site fan experience.

The signature island green on the par-3, 17th hole is one of the most recognized in golf and the course is consistently named among the best in the world.

My Pick: Patrick Cantlay. Cantlay is on track to becoming the number one player in the world in 2022.

Dark Horse: Will Zalatoris. The kid is a great ball striker, and would it not be impressive if the kid wins his first PGA tournament at TPC Sawgrass?

I hope golf gets a big shot in the arm after the negativity surrounding some comments made by Phil Mickelson recently.

Phil has had a brutal week with sponsorship losses after his controversial comments about Saudi Arabia.

Can we give Lefty a break? Society seems so unforgiving these days.