The Players Championship kicks off Thursday at TPC Sawgrass, and the last handful of winners -- Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Smith, Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy -- did not lack for star power.
Does that mean another big-name player will win in 2025? Scheffler is the betting favorite having won the last two tournaments here, although he's still looking for his first win of the season.
Scheffler, however, doesn't think his previous wins help him much this week.
"It's great to have won this tournament the last two years, but can I rely on some of those experiences when I step up on the first tee and give myself a little bit of confidence? Yes. If I missed the cut here last year, am I going to be like stepping on to the first tee and be like, man, I duck-hooked that one last year, I better not duck-hook it again," Scheffler said. "Last year is last year. I'm not trying to replicate it. I'm not trying to look back on it. At the end of the day, it's in the past."
Scheffler is +500 to win, and Collin Morikawa and McIlroy are both +1200 to win.
Scheffler and McIlroy will be joined by Xander Schauffele in one of the marquee groupings of the first two days. That trio goes off at 1:29 p.m. ET on the 1st tee on Thursday.
The Players Championship purse is $25 million with $4.5 million going to the winner. Check out our staff picks to win and sleepers below, and here's how you can watch the tournament this week.
Jack Hirsh, associate equipment editor: Collin Morikawa, +1200. I wrote Scottie Scheffler's name like six times here, but I just can't fathom someone winning three years in a row at TPC Sawgrass. Morikawa is hitting the ball as well as he ever has, which says something giving his prolific ball striking. I don't expect a hangover from Bay Hill's loss.
Jessica Marksbury, senior editor: Shane Lowry, +4000. He's never finished better than 8th in 10 appearances at TPC Sawgrass, but I think this is the year Lowry contends. Florida golf suits him, and he's played well for the last two weeks, finishing T11 at the Cognizant and 7th at Bay Hill. He's a favorite but not the favorite, so he should be able to play with some freedom.
Josh Sens, senior writer: Sepp Straka, +2800. Always a great ballstriker, he finished T16 last year. This year, he comes into Sawgrass with a much-improved putting game. That bodes well for a guy who seems to be in the mix almost every time he pegs it.