Expert Picks: Sepp Straka Aims for 2025 Players Championship Upset

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is poised to make history as he seeks a third consecutive victory at the Players Championship, commencing Thursday at TPC Sawgrass. Scheffler, who won by five strokes in 2023 and narrowly by one stroke in 2024, is the heavy favorite at +360, followed closely by Rory McIlroy at +800.

Other key contenders for the tournament include Collin Morikawa at +1600, Xander Schauffele at +1600, and Ludvig Åberg at +2000. Aberg, who finished eighth in 2024, is a strong candidate at +200 to secure a top-10 finish this year.

In contrast, Morikawa, runner-up at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week, has struggled without a PGA Tour win since October 2023, while Brian Harman, who tied for second last year at the Players, is considered a longshot at +9000 this week.

CBS Sports golf expert, McDonald, who has a successful track record of predicting outcomes, has turned his attention to Straka as a promising bet at +6000 (bet $100 to win $6,000). Straka, a European Ryder Cup member, starts the season strong with a win at The American Express and four top-15 finishes.

Last week’s performance in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, where he secured a top-five finish, has solidified his position as a golfer to watch at TPC Sawgrass. McDonald noted, “Straka surged over the weekend at the Arnold Palmer Invitational employing a strategy we have seen from him ample times this season—hit fairways and hit greens in regulation.”

Straka’s excellent recent form includes rankings of second in green in regulation percentage and third in birdie average on the PGA Tour. He is also noted for his strong performance on the stadium course in previous years, with a ninth-place finish in 2022 and T-16 last year.

McDonald also hints at an exciting longshot for this year’s championship who is getting odds exceeding +1600. In discussing course dynamics, expert analyst Brady Kannon stated that TPC Sawgrass, known for its stricter tests, does not favor a particular skill set among players.

The course stretches to approximately 7,350 yards with 17 of the 18 holes featuring water hazards, challenging golfers to find precise spots to avoid bogeys. Historically, the Players Championship has seen winners from varied backgrounds, including notable names such as Tiger Woods and Webb Simpson.

Considering the course’s difficulties, Kannon advises focusing on golfers like Morikawa, who has been strong in his recent outings, but warns against betting on Scheffler for a three-peat, stating that he lacks appeal at current odds.

With predictions unfolding, golf enthusiasts are keen to see whether players like Straka, Morikawa, and others can make an impact as they navigate the prestigious tournament’s intricacies.

The Players Championship promises to deliver high stakes and notable performances from some of the best golfers in the world as they push for the coveted title and a prize of $4.5 million.