One of the PGA Tours favorite tournaments gets underway this Thursday May 8. The 2008 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach Florida. This is one of the fan favorites as well as tour professionals. The Players Championship attracts the strongest field in professional golf, and offers the largest purse and FedExCup points allocation of all events on the PGA TOUR. The 17th hole is one of the best and hardest on the PGA Tour. Phil Mickelson will be back to defend as 2007 Champion and Tiger Woods is still out while he recovers from surgery, so it’s anybody’s tournament. Oddsmakers at BodogLife.com have Phil Mickelson at 11/1 odds to repeat as Players Champion. Get your 2008 Players Champion Prediction in now at BodogLife.com
Phil Mickelson finished tied for 12th last week as the favorite to win. His play has been erratic and his putting isn’t there. Still, it’s Phil. He has one win, one second place finish and two top ten finishes. He won this tourney last year and he knows the course well. BodogLife.com has Phil Mickelson at 11/1 odds to repeat.
Adam Scott is having a great year with one win, two top 10 finishes and three top 25 finishes. Last week he had an off week, but still finished tied for eighth. The dramatic playoff win in Dallas was a big step but a second Players Championship would be a huge step forward. Last year he finished The Players tied for sixth. He’s more than capable of winning this week. BodogLife has Adam Scott at 12/1 odds to win.
Jim Furyk lives in Ponte Vedra, Florida and he plays out of TPC Sawgrass. He’s coming off back to back top 10 finishes and last year he finished tied 28. He finished seventh at last week’s Wachovia Championship and is ready for his first win of the year. Furyk himself said last week that he felt like he was close to winning soon. BodogLife.com has Jim Furyk at 18/1 odds to win this week.
Stewart Cink is playing too well not to win something soon and the hard-working Cink would be the ultimate Players' champion. He tied for eighth last week at the Wachovia Championship, his sixth top-10 in 10 starts this season. He also has two runner-up finishes and a pair of thirds. A year ago, Cink tied for third at the Players so he knows he can play the TPC Sawgrass. BodogLife.com has Stewart Cink at 22/1 odds to win.
Anthony Kim won last week’s Wachovia Championship in dominating fashion with a five shot lead, now the 22 year old is considered the next great youth. In 10 starts for 2008, he's got three top-3 finishes. The Players tournament is a shot makers course, similarly to that of Quail Hollow which he just won, and he’s riding the momentum into this week’s tournament. Expect to see this kid on top of a lot of leader boards. BodogLife has Anthony Kim at 40/1 odds to win.
Other Notables
- Vijay Singh – 18/1
- Padraig Harrington – 22/1
- Geoff Ogilvy – 28/1
- Sergio Garcia – 33/1
- K.J. Choi – 33/1
- Ernie Els – 40/1
- Steve Stricker – 50/1
- Fred Couples – 50/1
2008 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass
When: Thurs, May 8, 2008 7:30 AM ET
Line: BodogLife.com
Pick: Stewart Cink – 22/1
The Bottom Line: There seems to be a youth movement amongst the PGA Tour, but this course demands experience and precision shot making. Look for a repeat Champ or a hot new up and comer. Get your 2008 Players Champion Prediction in now at BodogLife.com
