Tuesday 10 May 2016 20:11, UK
Ben Coley tips Jordan Spieth to bounce back from his Masters heartbreak in the Players Championship betting preview, alongside four other outsiders he thinks could make an impact
All eyes are on TPC Sawgrass for one of the most popular events on the calendar, the PLAYERS Championship.
But those expecting one of the game's superstars to win should remember that not always has the so-called fifth major yielded a truly world-class winner, with the likes of Tim Clark, KJ Choi and Matt Kuchar among recent champions.
Were it not for that spectacular birdie blitz by Rickie Fowler 12 months ago, Kevin Kisner might have become the latest shock winner in an event played on a golf course which simply does not match up with the modern game. You cannot tame Sawgrass by sheer force and it's the straighter, shorter hitters who've tended to fare best.
With that in mind, how about Russell Knox to spring a surprise, just as he did in China last November?
Few would've considered the Scot prior to his breakthrough, given that it was in a World Golf Championship event, but he won impressively to prove that he's comfortable closing the door even in elite company.
That's a massive positive given the depth of talent on display at Sawgrass and this is something of a home game for Knox, who for many years now has lived in Jacksonville.
Last time out he benefited from some hard work on the putting green to finish second at Harbour Town which, like Sawgrass, was designed by the legendary Pete Dye.
Players who do well at one tend to do well at the other and with eight solid rounds under his belt in this event, Knox looks primed to put his neat and tidy game to use.
So does Kevin Na, who has three top-seven finishes in his last six starts in the PLAYERS.
Not a regular winner, Na can take comfort in the fact that the same comment applies to Clark, who ended a lengthy victory drought with his brave effort here six years ago.
Na is similar to Clark in that he finds fairways and hits his wedges in close, and with a very solid short-game he really does have the ideal profile for the challenge ahead.
With the likes of Paul Goydos and Jeff Maggert having gone close as veterans, 49-year-old Jerry Kelly is one for the shortlist as on no fewer than three occasions he's been the 36-hole leader at Sawgrass.
It's asking a lot for Kelly to win so he's best supported in top-10 and top-20 markets, but if you're looking to land the jackpot try an each-way bet on Robert Streb.
The American had a fine 2015, the peak probably his share of 10th at the Dye-designed Whistling Straits, and there have been some encouraging signs lately.
There is, however, a serious chance all these are playing for second as I fancy Jordan Spieth to put his Masters heartache behind him at the first opportunity.
Yes, Spieth endured a horrible meltdown at Augusta but the best athletes are at their most dangerous when they've just suffered a blow, so I can see Spieth bouncing back and reminding us of his supreme mental strength.
The Texan was the 54-hole leader here on his debut two years ago and the tactical test of Sawgrass is much better suited to his game than any of the others at the top of the betting. For once, Sawgrass may reward the very best.
