PLAYERS – Matchup Bets

The PGA TOUR arrives at THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. this week for what some refer to as the unofficial fifth major of the season.

The weather looks to be rather cooperative, at least until Sunday's final round. The forecast calls for temperatures in the mid- to upper-70's for the first two dayws with a 10 percent chance of precipitation. A cool front passes through, with temperatures in the mid-60's and cloudy conditions on Saturday. For Sunday, there is a 40 percent chance of rain with temperatures in the low 60's, resembling the weather we might see at The Open Championship in the British Isles, rather than Northeast Florida. It should be interesting, as the course is full of doglegs and hazards, negating the big hitters while forcing them to use a little more finesse. The course also features very, very fast greens, so accurate approach shots, solid scrambling ability and locked in putting will be good areas of focus.

PRIME MATCHUPS

Each week we'll take a look at the best round matchups to try and build up a nice bankroll.

Sergio Garcia (-120) vs. Hideki Matsuyama (-110): Garcia will be making his 16th career appearance at TPC Sawgrass, and he has appeared in the event in 14 consecutive seasons with tremendous success. He won the event in 2008, lost in a playoff in 2015 and he was a runner-up in 2007 as well. Overall he has five top-10 showings, and his comfort level is through the roof. Matsuyama is a bomber off the tee, but that long ball from the tee box is neutralized by several dog legs and hazards peppered all over the course. He'll need to show more accuracy, and that's just not part of his game. He ranks 165th on Tour in Driving Accuracy Percentage. Roll with Garcia this week.

Matt Kuchar (-105) vs. Tony Finau (-125): Again, it's just not about bombing it off the tee at TPC Sawgrass. Finau is one of the best, if not THE best, hitters with the big sticks. He mashes it long and far, but not always accurate. Kuchar has been much more consistent this season, too, already with a win under his belt at the Mayakoba Golf Classic. He hasn't been bothered by the caddie flap after that event, either. This will be his 12th career appearance at TPC Sawgrass, and he has been 17th or higher on six different occasions. His accuracy off the tee and his strong GIR will help him out this week, and the only concern with Kooch is his dismal putting.

Xander Schauffele (Even) vs. Tiger Woods (-130): Schauffele is an up-and-coming star, and at just 25 years old he is only getting started. He has made the cut in each of his eight events this season, including a pair of victories at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai and Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii. He has been 15th or higher in six of his past seven events, too. Tiger has been 20th or better in each of his three events this year in addition to a 17th-place finish at the Hero World Challenge. However, he has been slowed by a neck issue. Remember, the temperatures will be rather coolish by Florida standards, so take the healthier and more consistent golfer here.

Bryson DeChambeau (-115) vs. Jason Day (-115): This is a prime matchup, but DeChambeau is playing so very well. He has a game which works for Bay Hill, and that was definitely the case last season when he finished as a runner-up. The unorthodox DeChambeau ranks 16th in Ball Striking, and he is third on TOUR in Par 5 Scoring Average (4.40), which makes him a very attractive play. While Day won this event in 2016, he has been a very marginal 22nd and 23rd over the past two seasons. DeChambeau was second last season, and he has been tremendously consistent this season.

Last week: 1-2 (-105)
This season: 1-4-2 (-310)

OTHER BETS

To Make The Cut - Matt Kuchar (-300): Kuchar is a good bet to make the cut, as he has played into the weekend in nine of his past 10 showings at THE PLAYERS Championship, missing the cut only in 2015 during the 10-year span. That includes a third-place showing in 2016.

Top 20 Finish - Justin Rose (-145): Rose hasn't finished in the top-20 in the past couple of seasons at TPC Sawgrass, but he has been on fire this season and is a good bet to make some noise this time around. He won at the Farmers Insurance Open, and he has been third or better in three of his five events this season.

Top 20 Finish - Xander Schauffele (+105): I really like what I've seen from Schauffele recently, and he looks to be a star in the making. Perhaps this weekend is his coming out party, where casual fans will get to learn his name.

Top 20 Finish - Webb Simpson (+190): Simpson was a wire-to-wire winner at this event last season, and he has shown no signs of slowing down this season with four top-20 finishes out of six events, including a third-place finish at The RSM Classic right up Interstate 95 from TPC Sawgrass in Georgia.

Props - Top Asian Finisher - Si Woo Kim (+450): Kim has been playing tremendous golf lately, outside of his missed cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational this week. He bagged back-to-back top-5 finishes at Pebble Beach and the Genesis Open, and he has made the cut in eight of his 11 events this season. Really, it should be a two-horse race between he and Hideki Matsuyama.

Props - Nationality of Winner (USA, -140): In only two of the past five events has the winner of THE PLAYERS Championship come from the good ol' U.S. of A. However, Vegas feels rather strongly that the Americans have a more than good chance this season. Dustin Johnson (12/1) is co-favorites with Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy. Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka, Rickie Fowler, Tiger Woods and Xander Schauffele are also among the Top 10 favorites. Look for an American to celebrate on Sunday.

Props - Nationality of Winner (USA, -140): In only two of the past five events has the winner of THE PLAYERS Championship come from the good ol' U.S. of A. However, Vegas feels rather strongly that the Americans have a more than good chance this season. Dustin Johnson (12/1) is co-favorites with Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy. Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka, Rickie Fowler, Tiger Woods and Xander Schauffele are also among the Top 10 favorites. Look for an American to celebrate on Sunday.

Last week: 1-3 (-238)
This season: 1-5 (-453)