⛳ The Players Championship Odds & Field 2026: Fade Scheffler, McIlroy for Value

The 2026 Players Championship odds are clouded in two major questions:

1. Is Scottie Scheffler human?
2. Is Rory McIlroy healthy?

The top two golfers in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) each had a (relatively) disappointing performance in this past week's Signature Event. Scheffler finished T-24 for his worst result since last February, while McIlroy withdrew ahead of his third round last week due to a back injury. Suddenly, there's value within Players Championship odds ahead of Thursday's first round at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

💡 The Players Championship odds analysis

I'm certainly not rushing out to bet on either Scheffler or McIlroy to win The Players Championship. Though both of the top-two golfers in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) are seeking a third career win of this event at TPC Sawgrass, both enter the week as big-time question marks. In this event, and especially with these short odds, I'm not willing to take on risk.

Scheffler's putting problems

The Scottie Scheffler we saw last week at Bay Hill Club & Lodge was not the cool, collected, and dominant version we've grown accustomed to seeing. Scheffler lost 0.74 strokes per round on approach for the week, in addition to another 0.14 strokes lost with his putter. While he was still strong from tee to green and around the greens, the volatility of the Stadium Course isn't the best refuge for those struggling with precision in any part of their game.

Water is any issue anywhere it could be an issue at TPC Sawgrass. Winds can wreak havoc even at the best of times, and the crowd is always a factor that certainly isn't present at every PGA Tour event.

While Scheffler has proven his immunity to each of these factors over the past four-plus years with 22 total PGA Tour victories - including two Players Championship titles - I'm going to need to see his odds rise by Thursday's opening round in order to place an outright bet on him.

McIlroy's health status

McIlroy withdrew ahead of his third round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to a back injury. Though he's still listed in the field and with +1100 odds to win The Players Championship for the second consecutive year, I expect his odds to lengthen by Thursday, barring confirmation early in the week that he'll play.

McIlroy is one of the few exceptions I'm willing to make when looking for a risk-averse betting card this week. McIlroy has played this event 16 times and won it twice. He was in good form during the attempted defense of his first tournament title before the 2020 Players was called off amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

💰 Players Championship value odds

The questions surrounding Scheffler and McIlroy create excellent value with other Players Championship golf picks this week. Our LJ Blut detailed three Players Championship long-shot picks. While I'm not going quite that far down the oddsboard, I am looking to attack several value bets from the second and third tiers of the outright odds.

Collin Morikawa (+2500)

Collin Morikawa comes off a fifth-place finish last week. That adds to a 2026 resume that includes a victory and a T-7 - all in Signature Events - that has him back inside the top 5 of the world rankings.

Morikawa's irons have returned to the form that helped him secure two early major championships, and his putter is slightly above average. That's as good as Morikawa needs to be on the greens when his approach game is at its best. He's also showing improved driving distance to complement his always-in-form accuracy off the tee.

I expect these odds to shorten early in the week.

Ludvig Aberg (+2800)

Ludvig Aberg will make his third career appearance in The Players Championship this week. He debuted with an eighth-place finish but missed the cut last year. His 2026 season started with a withdrawal in The American Express and a missed cut in the Farmers Insurance Open, but a T-20 in The Genesis Invitational and a T-3 last week have him back in form.

These odds haven't yet shortened accordingly, and offer excellent value on one of the more popular bets to win this event from last year. 

Si Woo Kim (+3300)

Si Woo Kim started his 2026 schedule like a man on fire. He finished between T-2 and T-11 in four straight events. He briefly cooled off with consecutive finishes outside the top 30 in the first two Signature Events, but he rebounded for a T-13 finish this past week.

Kim won this event in 2017 and has two top-10 finishes in the last five years. His ball-striking has been among the best on the PGA Tour this calendar year. These odds don't reflect that statistical dominance at a course that always rewards it.

Akshay Bhatia (+5500)

Akshay Bhatia just claimed his third career PGA Tour win. It was his first in a Signature Event but third via a playoff. He just answered any lingering questions of whether he can compete against the PGA Tour's best in the biggest moments.

I expect these odds to shorten throughout the week, so I'm jumping on the +5500 odds early, and hoping he can go back-to-back.

Bhatia tied for third in The Players last year after missing the cut in his tournament debut. He gained 1.19 strokes per round on the greens last year, and he's been in similar form with the flat stick in 2026. He gained more than a stroke per round on approach in each of his last three events entering last week as well, and it was his short game and putting that stole the show at Bay Hill.

📊 Full-field Players Championship odds 2026

Here are the odds to win The Players Championship for the full 122-man field at TPC Sawgrass:

🏦 How I'm betting The Players Championship

While we're always advocates of bankroll management at Sportsbook Review, this has been a long winter. I'm ready to kick back and enjoy the sights of TPC Sawgrass and be jealous of those enjoying the warmer weather in Ponte Vedra Beach.

I'll be going to 1.5 times my usual weekly tournament bankroll - similar to what I do for the majors each year. I'll be sticking mostly to the second or third tier of the oddsboard - and waiting on updates regarding McIlroy's health - but will sprinkle in a couple of long-shot tickets as well.

We also usually see an expanded prop bet offering for The Players from our best sports betting sites. This adds to our profit potential and helps us hedge outright bets.

ℹ️ TPC Sawgrass course info

Consider Pete Dye's most famous design, TPC Sawgrass is said to not favor a specific brand of golf. The one thing that regularly prevails: pedigree and star power. The Players Championship boasts the strongest field in golf. It took at least one step back toward that being true with Brooks Koepka in the 2026 field upon his return to the PGA Tour this season.

The intricate Bermuda greens run fast with challenging slopes often spilling toward the many water hazards. Fairways demand golfers to hit specific landing areas - or risk troublesome rough or further water issues.

The last 10 winning scores have ranged from -10 to -20.

Key stats

Here are the key stats I'll be using when betting on the 2026 Players Championship:

• Strokes gained: approach
• Strokes gained: tee-to-green
• Proximity to the pin (125-150 yards)
• Bogey avoidance
• Driving accuracy over driving distance

❓ The Players Championship FAQs

Who is favored to win The Players Championship?

Scottie Scheffler opened as the favorite to win The Players Championship, with +350 odds via BetRivers.

Who won The Players Championship last year?

Rory McIlroy won The Players Championship in a playoff with a 72-hole score of 12-under par. His pre-tournament odds last year were +1400.

When is The Players Championship?

The 2026 Players Championship will be played from March 12-15.

Where is The Players Championship?

The Players Championship is held annually at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.