March 10, 2026
Jake Knapp is set to return at this week's Players Championship held at TPC Sawgrass after he had to withdraw before his first-round tee time due to illness at last week's Arnold Palmer Invitational. Knapp has had an excellent start to the 2026 season by rattling off four straight top-10 finishes and five straight top-15 finishes. Knapp finished tied for 12th at the 2024 PLAYERS Championship and tied for 45th in 2023. Over the past 12 months, Knapp ranks in the 43rd 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.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
March 10, 2026
Viktor Hovland found his putting stroke at last week's Arnold Palmer Invitational, and that buoyed him to a tied-for-13th finish that was followed by a tie for 41st finish at The Genesis Invitational two weeks ago. Hovland has secured four top-25 finishes in six starts this season. Hovland has struggled at TPC Sawgrass in the past, missing the cut last year and finishing tied for 62nd in 2024. Over the past 12 months, Hovland ranks in the 98th 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.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
March 10, 2026
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.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
March 10, 2026
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.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
March 10, 2026
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.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
March 10, 2026
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.
--Todd McGillSource: Data Golf
March 10, 2026
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.
--Todd McGillSource: Data Golf
March 10, 2026
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.
--Todd McGillSource: Data Golf
March 10, 2026
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.
--Todd McGillSource: PGA Tour
March 10, 2026
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.
--Todd McGillSource: Data Golf
March 10, 2026
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.
--Todd McGillSource: Data Golf
March 10, 2026
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.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
March 10, 2026
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.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
March 10, 2026
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.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
March 9, 2026
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.
--Todd McGillSource: PGA Tour
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