TOP FIVE POISED TO WIN FIRST PLAYERS
Twelve players in the last 13 years — Tiger Woods in 2013 being the exception — have been first-time Players champions. Here are our top five selections to continue the trend.
DUSTIN JOHNSON
What’s to like? What’s not to like? He’s gone 3-1-1-1-T2 in his last five starts. He’s the world No. 1. And judging from last weekend when he was one shot out of a playoff in the Wells Fargo Championship, his injured back that kept him out of the Masters has healed. Then again, he has never played well in The Players, with a career-best tie for 28th last year being his best finish in eight starts. But he’s the best driver of the ball, he’s putting well and his wedge play is superb. He is the favorite.
JORDAN SPIETH
What’s to like? He’s having another solid year, winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and posting three other top-10s in nine starts. He was in contention in the Masters, as well, before a final-round 75 knocked him into a tie for 11th. The world No. 5 remains one of the game’s best putters. He tied for fourth in The Players in 2014 but has missed the cut the last two years.
JUSTIN THOMAS
What’s to like? He’s long and fearless, he’s won three times this season and he shot 59 in the first round of the Sony Open. He is confident and has many strengths. The 24-year-old has become much better at controlling his emotions. Last year he finished in a tie for third in his second Players appearance; he finished tied for 24th in his first in 2015. The world No. 10 has the game to contend every week.
JON RAHM
What’s to like? Since finishing in a tie for 34th in his first start this year, he’s been out of the top 10 just twice in eight starts. He won the Farmers Insurance Open, was runnerup in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, tied for third in the WGC-Mexico Championship, tied for fifth at Pebble Beach and was fourth last weekend in the Wells Fargo Championship. The 22-year-old Spaniard, who attended Arizona State, is ranked No. 12 in the world.
FRANCESCO MOLINARI
What’s to like? He won’t overpower the course, but he will find a lot of fairways — a must to win this championship. He’s been in the top 10 in three of his six starts in The Players, including a tie for sixth in 2014 and a tie for seventh in 2016 in his last two starts. He’s playing well with five top-25 finishes in his last seven starts. The player from Italy is ranked No. 34.