Rasmus Hojgaard Looking for Bounce-Back at Players Championship
Rasmus Hojgaard missed the cut at last week's Puerto Rico Open, and that was followed by a tie for ninth finish at the Cognizant Classic two weeks ago. Hojgaard has secured two top-25 finishes this season and missed his first cut of the season last week. Hojgaard missed the cut at last year's PLAYERS Championship and will need to find his form to compete this week at TPC Sawgrass. Over the past 12 months, Hojgaard ranks in the 57th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 100-150 yards in the fairway. This is worth pointing out because at last year's PLAYERS Championship over 30% of approach shots came from this distance.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Tommy Fleetwood Will Need to Find Putter to Compete at Players Championship
Tommy Fleetwood finished 49th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last weekend, and that was followed by a tie for seventh finish at the Genesis Invitational two weeks ago. Fleetwood has secured three top-25 finishes in five starts this season. Fleetwood has played well at TPC Sawgrass, finishing tied for 14th in 2024 and tied for 35th in 2023. Over the past 12 months, Fleetwood ranks in the 90th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 100-150 yards. This is worth pointing out because at last year's PLAYERS Championship over 30% of approach shots came from this distance.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Akshay Bhatia Continues Improving Heading to Players Championship
Akshay Bhatia walked away as the winner at last week's Arnold Palmer Invitational, and that was followed by a tied for 16th finish at The Genesis Invitational two weeks ago. He'll start preparing for this week's THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass. Bhatia has played well at TPC Sawgrass, finishing tied for third in 2025 and missing the cut in 2024. Over the past 12 months, Bhatia ranks in the 90th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 100-150 yards in the fairway. This is important because at last year's PLAYERS Championship over 30% of approach shots came from this distance.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Justin Thomas Continues Competitive Return at The Players Championship
It was a week to forget at Bay Hill for Justin Thomas, who was playing in his first start since having back surgery over the offseason. The former Tide golfer lost an average of 2 or more strokes off the tee, on approach, and putting over his two-round stint, posting back-to-back rounds of 79 to miss the cut by a handsome margin. It was really the type of week that was expected, as it's difficult to prepare for the beast of Arnie's place coming off the bench. TPC Sawgrass is another demanding test that won't be kind to the 32-year-old. It's doubtful that anyone has plans to utilize him in DFS after last week's display, but in case anyone is still trying to talk themselves into it... Don't.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Scottie Scheffler Looking to Win Third Players Championship in Four Years
It could be a more difficult row to hoe for Scottie Scheffler this year at TPC Sawgrass, after losing strokes on approach this past week at Bay Hill for the first time in 28 starts. For anyone counting, that tournament stretch goes back to 2024. No matter how sure of someone's game we are, this sport and the performance of players ebb and flow. Scheffler didn't rise to this superstardom overnight; he shouldn't fall from it that fast either. And the unfathomable consistency might be waning, but it isn't moving his DFS value back into the normal realm yet. He's undoubtedly been the best player at this week's venue and has the overall skillset to still be a force here without his best ball striking. For Scheffler truthers, keep holding down the fort.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Collin Morikawa a Smash Play at This Week's Players Championship
Anyone who's watched golf over the last month likely already knows, but Collin Morikawa is perhaps the hottest current player on the PGA Tour, with a solo fifth and a T7 following his win at Pebble Beach. He has been destroying fields with his irons, averaging +1.76 strokes gained on approach over that three-event span. What's more impressive is the putting stats that have continually improved week-to-week this year, topping out at +0.88 strokes gained average last week at Bay Hill. Morikawa is undoubtedly the type of player who should be able to manufacture a great week at TPC Sawgrass. It's happened a few times already in his career, but if this is the year he breaks through to win, no one should be surprised.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Shane Lowry Looking for Bounce-Back Week at TPC Sawgrass
There aren't many players who can consistently show up at The Players Championship, but Shane Lowry is on the short list of names that have done that over the last five seasons. The Irishman has found his way inside the top 20 at this golf course four out of the last five years. It's been through a staggering strokes gained on approach effort, averaging +1.343 over his last 20 rounds. Judging by his missed cut last week at the API, another place that he's flourished, it's easy to assume he's still beside himself after what we saw a couple of weeks ago at PGA National. He'll get over that pain eventually, and a Player's trophy probably tickles his fancy more anyway. Play Lowry with hope this week.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Russell Henley Needs His Whole Game to Show Up at The Players Championship
It has quietly been a really good start to 2026 for Russell Henley. He hasn't been a serious part of any conversation week to week, but has only slipped outside of the top 20 on any leaderboard in his first five starts. He's been a DFS darling, but there have been significant shortcomings almost every week that have kept him from really breaking out. For the last three, it's been his iron play, and his chipping and putting before that. Henley has become one of the most well-rounded players on the PGA Tour, and eventually, everything is going to align. His tournament history at TPC Sawgrass isn't great, but there are plenty of past champions with similar resumes. If he can start finding his way on approach, look for a career-best week at The Stadium Course.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Chris Gotterup Hopes to Continue Impressive Season at The Players
It was a return to form this past week for Chris Gotterup at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, finishing tied for 18th. He even gained strokes on the greens for the first time since his win at the Sony Open. The 26-year-old will now travel to Ponte Vedra for his second consecutive Players start. Given what we've already seen in 2026, it would be easy to assume that Gotterup will be among the more favored list of guys to compete this week. However, the deeper side of the analytics may say otherwise. He is 145th in driving accuracy (54.22%) this year, ranks rather poorly in approach metrics beyond 200 yards, and has had questionable wedgeplay at times. His play certainly warrants his high-profile status, but there are better weeks to play him than a demanding TPC Sawgrass.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Max Greyserman Gradually Improving Each Week in Florida
Max Greyserman is letting the results do the talking. The American golfer netted his first Top 20 result of the season at the Arnold Palmer Invitational (T-18). One of his biggest weaknesses is driver accuracy. Greyserman had 10 events where that accuracy was 10% or more lower than the rest of the field. Sometimes, the golfer overcomes it but most times he does not. Last week, he gained 1.93 strokes to putting at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Greyserman may need a similar effort this week just to be a birdie or DFS possibility. The problem is can the golfer keep putts to an absolute minimum. He averages 27.95 putts per round and needs to be in order to have a chance at TPC Sawgrass.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
The Nico Echavarria Roller Coaster Heads to The Players Championship
Nico Echavarria keeps trying to play through the consistency issues. The Colombian golfer shows flashes of brilliance combined with calamitous results. Echavarria has two top 10 efforts including a win at the Cognizant Classic. When he is on, he is on. Pebble Beach showed his ability to avoid bogeys and missed shots. Numbers are all over the place when it comes to the golfer but he has gained 1.81 strokes putting over the previous two PGA events. Working around the greens has been more erratic with Echavarria not excelling at sand saves and scrambling (170th and 139th respectively). TPC Sawgrass is famous for the inevitable bunker shots and chip shots as much as the 17th hole. Echavarria might be too volatile from a DFS standpoint.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Ludvig Aberg a Threat to Contend at The Players Championship
Ludvig Aberg did not have the best start to the 2026 season. The Swedish golfer had an injury impact his play but since the calendar turned to February, his form has returned. That culminated in a T-3 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week. Aberg has been closing well in events with a 67-66-67 over his past three final rounds. Driving distance is vital but the accuracy is key. Last week, Aberg was 15% more accurate compared to the rest of the field. At TPC Sawgrass, it is vital that the golfer avoid errant tee shots. This is something that holds Aberg back. Aberg is a solid betting wager if not for a win but at least a Top 10 or even Top 5.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Harris English Hopes to Find Any Sort of Success at TPC Sawgrass
Despite his Southeastern roots and affinity for playing on Bermuda grass surfaces, Harris English has a downright putrid record at The Players Championship. In 12 career appearances, he has one top 20 finish to go along with seven missed cuts. The former Georgia Bulldog is a serviceable ball striker, but it isn't up to the level needed to compete on The Stadium Course. He ranks third on the season in strokes gained off the tee (+0.596), and ranks 13th in par-4 scoring average. If he is to make a run at this championship, he'll need to be sharper with his iron play and short game. But there is some value to be had here for guys playing for the perceived ceiling English has.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Pierceson Coody Looks to Get Back on Track in First Players Appearance
Things have cooled off for Pierceson Coody after the hot start to the season. He missed his first cut of the season last week at Bay Hill, after losing over three shots around the green. He'll now make his first career start at The Players Championship, a place notorious for being unkind to first-timers. The 26-year-old has proven his ability to hang, but TPC Sawgrass is unlike anything he's played this year. His distance gives advantages at certain venues, but a 55.77% driving accuracy will be difficult to overcome here. Luckily, the approach play he's displayed this season has been some of the best we've seen from anyone. Coody has the talent for The Stadium Course, but ownership will determine how viable an option he is. If he's even remotely at the same level that he was before last week, there are better options elsewhere.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Daniel Berger Presses On at The Players Championship
It wasn't meant to be for Daniel Berger this past week at the API, as he ultimately didn't do enough on the weekend to hold off a confident Akshay Bhatia. Still, it was a successful week for the 32-year-old, who led the field in strokes gained on approach (+1.98) and strokes gained from tee to green (+2.70). He'll now head to TPC Sawgrass, where his game sets up beautifully and ultimately flourishes. The Stadium Course usually awards sound ball striking, and while that is usually the skill we equate with Berger, it has been his short game and putting that have given him the biggest boost around this property. Hopefully, he can shake off the close call at Bay Hill and show up to Ponte Vedra ready to play, because he's a worthwhile DFS selection.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
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