PLAYERS: Betting suggestions
Five winners at Sawgrass have been over the age of 40. As you can imagine, the Players Championship doesn't always go according to the world rankings, nor does it tend to go to the golfers in their physical primes.
Instead, the mature can prosper and find themselves on top of one of the most decorated leaderboards in golf with one of the most lucrative pay-packets to suit.
Taking this into account, NCG have assembled three players which may not be mentioned in too many betting previews but just might be worth a fiver each way, the choice is yours...
FRED COUPLES
ODDS (Top American): Best price 55/1
2007 PLACE: DNP
BEST FINISH: Winner 1984, 1996
Our first prediction to prevail is Fred Couples, who at 55/1 (to be top American) is a very strong outsider. Not only does Fred have the game to suit the Stadium Course, he has the stats to back it up further.
He currently sits behind Jack Nicklaus in joint second place for all-time Sawgrass wins with two, and comes into Thursday's tournament with a wealth of momentum after a strong finish at the Wachovia championship last week.
The 48-year-old took three appearances to secure his first victory here and if you follow the years of his two victories - 1984 and 1996 - then this could be his year again?
MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENEZ
ODDS (Top European): 28/1
2007 PLACE: DNP
BEST FINISH: T38 1999 and 2006
The second golfer tipped for Sawgrass success is the Mechanic himself, Miguel Angel Jimenez.
The World No 40 continues our run in the line of over 40s competing for Players glory and after a fine performance in Sevilla last week, looks set to be well in with a shout.
With a top 10 to his name in every Major, the Spaniard has proved he can perform under pressure and can tough it out with the best of them. The Stadium course does not require huge hitting, and should be playing firm and fast this week, so an ability to find the fairways will be essential and Jimenez should be able to find more than his fair share of them.
BERNHARD LANGER
ODDS (Top European): 50/1
2007 PLACE: T58
BEST FINISH: 2nd 1993, 1995
Last but not least comes Bernhard Langer. Langer has regained some of his fine form on the Champions Tour and comes into this week with a victory already secured in March at the Toshiba Classic.
The German has the game and mentality and with age on his side (for once), looks good for maybe a place finish in the European bracket.
The former Ryder Cup skipper has enjoyed some excellent performances and has recorded two second-place finishes to his name. His days of topping the leaderboard may be over but he might be worth a couple of nuggets each way against his continental colleagues.
By Joe Whitley
