THE 2021 PLAYERS: Everything You Need to Know

It is hard to describe the PLAYERS Championship without using the word “major”. For most golfers a PLAYERS title is an honor wanted in their trophy cases more than anything in their professional tenures. For most golfers, the PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass is a major.

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In a season where golf fans have long-awaited the return of “usual” golf, no tournament seems more anticipated than this upcoming weekends’ PLAYERS Championship. The last golfer to hoist the title came in 2019 when Rory McIlroy became triumphant at the event. Last year, the entire world was struck by an unknown entity – Covid-19 – , and it came in full-force when the Tour was on track to carry out the mid-major event at TPC Sawgrass.

After two years, the golf world finally gets to witness a new Players Champion.

For McIlroy, he looks to defend his title; even though his title came two years ago, he is still the reigning champion. Although Rory has seemed a bit off of his game – for him that means finishing tournaments in the top-20 – he is well-aware of the challenges and consistency TPC Sawgrass demands from its competitors. While it is unlikely that a former champion goes back-to-back, unless you are Tiger Woods, Rory is listed with Bryson DeChambeau as the second favorites to take down the 2021 title at +1200, with Dustin Johnson at the top spot at +1000.

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DeChambeau is coming fresh and hot off a win at Bay Hill in the Arnold Palmer Invitational where he wowed the fans with his powerful tee-shots and impressive iron play and putting. With a win at Arnie’s place, DeChambeau has been bumped up to no. 1 in the FedEx Cup standings and no. 6 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Of the many golfers set to play in this years’ Players Championship, there is no one that has more momentum than Bryson DeChambeau. Unlike Bay Hill where Bryson’s booming drives played a major role in his victory, TPC Sawgrass tests every facet in the players’ bag. Many people do just view Bryson as a long-hitting player, but he proved all nay-sayers wrong when he lead the field in par-3 scoring at Bay Hill. If he can transfer his incredible iron play, putting, and of course long-drives to the PLAYERS stage, he will be a force to be reckoned with.

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Aside from the power-hitting bulk monster, it is hard to overlook former world no. 1 Jordan Spieth and the talent he has brought to the table thus far in the 2021 season. Spieth has finished in the top-five in three of his last four starts on TOUR. Unfortunately for Spieth, his past performances at TPC Sawgrass have not impressed as he has failed to make the cut in four of his past five appearances at, although he did, however, finish tied for fourth in 2014.

But, that was when Jordan was on the rise of his stardom and a top world golf ranking. To his credit, Spieth has done things over his past couple of starts that us golf fans have not witnessed in many years. Did you see him on Saturday at both Bay Hill and TPC Scottsdale? The man was in his bag. Is Spieth the real deal right now, and is he worth taking a gander on in this year’s PLAYERS? Apparently he is, as he has the ninth best odds at +2500 to take the crown.

In the PLAYERS past, golfers with low to terrible odds have come out on top, so that just goes to show that the winner of this tournament will be the man who is most prepared and dialed to the tee in EVERY facet of their game.

Here is a look at the past ten champions and their odds to win at the start of the tournament:

2019: Rory McIlory (+1200)

2018: Webb Simpson (+6000)

2017: Si Woo Kim (+50000)

2016: Jason Day (+1000)

2015: Rickie Fowler (+5000)

2014: Martin Kaymer (+6000)

2013: Tiger Woods (+800)

2012: Matt Kuchar (+4000)

2011: K.J. Choi (+4000)

2010: Tim Clark (+10000)

These odds, especially those of Si Woo Kim and Tim Clark, demonstrates and proves that this tournament, like many others, is anyones for the taking.

For two of the world’s top-50 golfers, a PLAYERS Championship is not for the taking this time around. World no. 12 Brooks Koepka recently opted-out of this years’ tournament due to a knee injury. For a man who has experienced golf’s highest-highs and lowest-lows, this one has got to sting for Koepka as he was just returning from injury and looking like prime-Brooks in his past couple of starts. Along with Koepka comes OWGR no. 50 Tiger Woods who will miss the 2021 Players for obvious reasons.

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For the rest of the field, 48 of the top-50 players in the world will compete to become the next PLAYERS champion, and for many, they will be searching for their first.

Two featured groups have been announced for the opening two rounds at Sawgrass, all of whom are searching for their first career victory at the prestigious mid-major.

Featured Group One (world ranking)

Dustin Johnson (No. 1): So far this season, DJ ranks in the top-5 in strokes gained: tee to green and total. He ranks first in scoring average at 66.989 and has the fifth longest average driving distance of 321.4 yards (the first, of course, belonging to Bryson). Since his fanless Masters win in November of 2020, DJ has just four starts, one of which was a win at the Saudi International on the European Tour. Johnson has failed to make much noise thus far in the 2021 season as he recently finished tied for 54th place at the WFC at The Concession. Although his last start came from a rough outing, DJ has managed to finish in the top-10 in nine of his last ten outings prior to the tournament at The Concession, all of which came in the 2020 season. A win at the PLAYERS would keep Johnson on top of the OWGR rankings for an extended period of time. The Vegas oddsmakers like the DJ pick as he is the favorite to win at +1000.

Bryson DeChambeau (No. 6): As we all know, DeChambeau is coming off an impressive win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. Known as being the “long-ball guy” on the PGA Tour, Bryson used everything in his power and his bag to prove that he is more than just a driver of the golf ball. While he tops nearly every statistic which requires a driver and a tee-shot, DeChambeau also ranks sixth in strokes gained: approach the green and strokes gained: around the green.

On a course where pin locations were tough and slopes were disadvantageous, Bryson made the best of what he had and absolutely dominated on the putting surface. Prior to his win at Bay Hill, Bryson has been a bit underwhelming as his last top-10 finish came at the Sentry Tournament of Champions where he finished tied for 7th. But, you cannot forget that when Bryson is on fire, he is one heck of a course wrecker. He has all of the momentum in the world following his win at Bay Hill, and if he is consistent with his all-around game, then he will be a huge favorite to take the tournament down the stretch.

Collin Morikawa (No. 4): The 24-year-old is coming off of a win at the WGC at The Concession where his consistent ball-striking and approach game lead the way for a dominating performance. Morikawa was not in the field at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Was it because he wanted to save all of his magic for TPC Sawgrass? Probably.

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Like Bryson, Collin Morikawa has the confidence and momentum to take the Players Championship by storm. The California native currently ranks no. 4 in the OWGR and no. 15 in the FedEx Cup standings. A victory at the PLAYERS would secure his fifth career PGA Tour victory and almost certainly boost him up in both standings. Morikawa has all the skills to finish the weekend with a victory, and his consistent ball-striking will prove to be an essential factor if he succeeds.

Featured Group Two (world ranking)

Patrick Reed (No. 8): It’s tricky to look past a golfer who has shown time and time again that when he plays his best, he is almost unstoppable. But, it is, however, easy to take a player who has been accused of cheating on multiple occasions and look past his successes, no matter who he is. Aside from his scandals, one can’t help but admire how great Patrick Reed really is. Whenever he starts a tournament, he always seems to be in contention at the ladder half of the event.

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Of his 51 top-1o finishes, Reed has come out victorious in nine of those events, including his Masters win in 2018. Thus far in the 2021 season, Patrick Reed has finished in the top-10 in two of his starts. Following a poor performance at Bay Hill where he failed to make the cut, Reed is looking to take advantage of the amenities that TPC Sawgrass has to offer through his dominating approaches and putting. The PLAYERS Championship demands every aspect of the game, but if there is anything that gives Patrick Reed the upper-hand, it’s his putter.

Jon Rahm (No.2): Besides the WGC where Rahm finished tied for 32nd, he has been nothing but dominant over the past several months. Jon’s last victory came in last years’ BMW Championship where I’m sure you can remember him making that tremendously long putt to force a playoff and win. Since then, the world no. 2 has finished in the top-10 in six of his last ten starts.

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Jon Rahm has yet to capture a major championship, and, like many other players, I am certain he views the Players Championship as a major in and of its own. Rahm has been the world no. 2 since last years’ WGC Championship, pre COVID-19. And, oh yeah, he finished in third place. If there’s anything you can say about Jon Rahm, it’s simple. The spaniard is due for a win. A win this weekend will capitalize on his reputation across the PGA TOUR as a constant competitor.

Brooks Koepka – OUT (No. 12): Unfortunately for our boy Koepka, he recently withdrew from this years’ Players due to injury. For a man who has spent a large majority of his career battling injury, it’s tough to see a tremendous talent like Koepka have to sit on the sidelines. He has proven over and over again that injuries can’t stop him from contending, and this is just a minor speed bump in a rather major turning point in his career. Brooks will be back, better than ever.

This years’ PLAYERS Championship is going to be one to remember, and, like the rest of the massive golf world, I am excited who will hoist the crown in 2021. May the best man win!

I’ll be releasing my top-10 moments at the Players Championship before the opening round on Thursday. Until then, follow along on my Twitter @BurgesSports and get pumped with me!

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