The Players Championship - Preview, picks & analysis

Post by Sports Writer, Derek Clements

THE PGA Tour heads to TPC Sawgrass and the Players Championship, boasting the strongest field of the year and another outing for Tiger Woods, eager to prove he has made further progress since his encouraging performance at The Masters.

Many people bill this as the "fifth major", but I am not buying it. Not for one moment. In the first place, the course is not worthy of a major. I know that there will be people who disagree, but Sawgrass is a stadium course.

Yes, the par-three 17th is one of the most famous holes in golf. But let's not kid ourselves that it is a classic golf hole. Pete Dye didn't know what to do with it, and it was his wife who suggested creating an island green. 

I don't deny that it serves up plenty of drama. I just don't happen to think very much of it, that's all. And the same applies to the 18th.

Tiger Woods will be looking for a repeat of 2013 as he makes his first start since Augusta

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsO7VxwbbzI

Great courses produce great champions. Craig Perks? Fred Funk? Stephen Ames?

The top 50 in the world rankings will all be at Sawgrass battling for the first prize of $1.8m - not bad for four days work, eh?

So will this be the tournament in which we see Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth go head to head, battling it out as they stand on that 17th tee? Will Woods prove that he can play a good game as well as talk it? Will Dustin Johnson reduce another big course to a pitch and putt? Can Justin Rose maintain his recent good form?

Questions, questions, questions. But you want some answers.

First off, I have a feeling that Spieth may struggle unless he can find some more fairways. He looked well short of his best at the World Matchplay, and may well be in need of a break to recharge his batteries.

McIlroy, on the other hand, appears to be bursting with energy and he putted brilliantly on his way to winning the matchplay in San Francisco. The world No1 only plays in tournaments to win them and Sawgrass suits his eye, although he would be the first man to tell you that he also believes this course is not good enough to hold a major. He is bound to be feeling weary, having had to get through seven matches last week, including several that went to the 18th or indeed to extra holes.

My fancy is Rickie Fowler, who has failed to kick on after the outstanding progress he made in 2014, during which he finished in the top five in all four "proper" majors. There has been a sense that the young American may just be trying too hard. He will get the message - and it could well be this week.

I also fancy the chances of the rejuvenated Paul Casey. With one near-miss to his credit in 2015, and a run to the last eight in the World Matchplay, the Englishman is back to his brilliant best, and it is only a matter of time before he starts winning again.

Look out, too, for Danny Willett having another big week. Who would ever have thought that the Yorkshireman would be leading the Race to Dubai in May? Well you had better believe it, and you had better get used to it. Winning in Sun City last year did wonders for his confidence. He fears nobody and nothing, and has clearly found American conditions to his liking. I have a sneaky feeling that Willett might contend at The Open in July. He has all the tools.

The Players Championship Betting Picks

To win: Rickie Fowler. Just remember to breathe Rickie

Each-way: Rory McIlroy. The surprise would be if he wasn't in the mix

Each-way: Tiger Woods. Yes, you read it right

The Players Championship Fantasy picks:

Rickie Fowler. Listen to Butch, and relax

Rory McIlroy. Just keep holing those putts Roars

Tiger Woods. Surprise, surprise! He's back

Danny Willett. Fearless, gutsy Yorkshireman

Nick Watney. Heading in the right direction

Paul Casey. Certain winner in 2015 - why not here?

Justin Rose. In a good run of form

Ian Poulter. Has an expensive new Ferrari to pay for

Dustin Johnson. This course was made for the Dustinator

Phil Mickelson. Needs to prove The Masters was not a flash in the pan