For the first time, Floridians will have widespread access to a legal PGA Tour’s flagship annual event.
Hard Rock Bet to accept online wagers. It’s the lone digital operator allowed to take bets in the Sunshine State.
A Hard Rock Bet spokesperson said the betting app won’t have an on-site marketing presence at The Players Championship, which takes place at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. There are, however, numerous wagering options on the event available on the digital sports betting platform.
Betting favorites 2i1359
Scottie Scheffler, fresh off a five-stroke win at last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, is the heavy betting favorite at The Players. Hard Rock Bet lists Scheffler at +525 to win the tournament, which he won last year.
Scheffler seemed to solve his putting woes last week, thriving after changing his putter. His ball-striking the last two years has been the best in the world, but he has continuously struggled to make putts. That changed last week, as he looked more comfortable on the greens and finished fifth in strokes gained putting, per Data Golf.
“It would be borderline unfair if he starts putting really good,” U.S. Open Champion Wyndham Clark told ESPN.
Scheffler has -140 odds to finish in the top 10, illustrating how far above his peers Scheffler sits in the betting market.
Outside of Scheffler, Rory McIlroy is listed at +1300 to win the tournament. No other players have odds shorter than +2000, which is where Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele are priced. Max Homa (+2250) and Viktor Hovland (+2250) are also considered top threats to Scheffler.
Hole-in-one specials n2069
TPC Sawgrass receives attention each season in large part due to its intriguing 17th hole, which features an island green. Hard Rock Bet’s market for a hole-in-one to occur at any point during the tournament has -145 odds.
There has been at least one ace in each of the last three iterations of The Players. The 2020 tournament didn’t include any, but that event was cut short due to COVID. The 2019 tourney had three aces, while the 2018 event didn’t yield any.
The 17th hole was prime for the taking last year, as three players made a hole-in-one on No. 17.
