World number one Scottie Scheffler topped the standings at last week's PGA Tour Players Championship as the American maintained his excellent start to the 2024 season with a stunning victory.
The 27-year-old carded an eight under par final round to take the tournament by one shot from compatriots Brian Harman, Xander Schauffele and Wyndham Clark. We had Scheffler at around Evens to finish in the Top 10 as one of our selections.
Our other pick, Doug Ghim, was 13/8 to finish in the Top 40 and ended up securing a T16 finish with another strong display – his fifth successive 16th or better finish.
Ghim will likely have his backers when the PGA Tour swiftly moves on to this week's Valspar Championship on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida.
The 7,340-yard, par 71 course is ranked seventh in difficulty on the PGA Tour in 2023 with an average round score of 71.985. American Taylor Moore is the defending champion following a –10 performance 12 months ago.
Moore, ranked 63rd in the world, is aiming to become the third consecutive winner to claim back-to-back titles at the event following Sam Burns (2021 and 2022) and Englishman Paul Casey (2018 and 2019).
Those looking to back former winners at the event have the choice of Moore, Burns, Adam Hadwin, Jordan Spieth, Kevin Streelman, Luke Donald and Gary Woodland.
Players Championship runner-up Schauffele is likely to head the betting, with Brian Harman also in tow. The 30-year-old Schauffele boasts five Top 10 finishes in six events this season finishing third at the American Express event and fourth at the Genesis Invitational
Without Scheffler and McIlroy in attendance, Xander has the opportunity to claim his first win of the season. The stats back up the form – he is third on the Tour in shots gained (1.848), second in scoring average (68.44), second on par fours (3.89), ninth in birdie average (4.89) and 17th in putting average (1.710).
Scheffler is 15/2 to win the title, 2/1 to finish Top Five and just over Evens to claim a Top 10 finish.
It would also be remiss to not consider Ghim once again following a strong showing at the 'fifth major'. The 27-year-old is fourth on the Tour in shots gained (1.599), 32nd in putting (0.427), sixth in scoring average (68.84), 12th in drive accuracy (67.76%) and 24th in greens hit in regulation (71.22%).
Those figures are even more impressive considering he missed the cut in his first two tournaments of the year.
Another longshot to consider is Maverick McNealy – a T9 finisher at the Players Championship last week. The 28-year-old boasts two Top 10 finishes in 2024 and has been steady, if not spectacular with five Top 40 finishes in his last six outings.
His stats are also solid – he's 10th in shots gained (1.163), 14th in scoring average (69.10), first in putts per round (27.59), 11th in one-putt percentage (43.83%), second in scrambling (72.57%) and 33rd in total driving.
If he can overcome his weak approach play – 167th in greens hit in regulation (63.99%) - he'll host a much better chance of challenging the favourites.
Best Bets – Triple
Xander Schauffele to finish Top 10
Doug Ghim to finish Top 20
Maverick McNeally to win each-way
Maverick McNeally to finish Top 40
