Golf´s unofficial “fifth Major” gets underway this week as the world´s finest tee it up in the Players´ Championship in Florida.
With Tiger Woods still recovering from the battle of wounded knee totesport list Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott at the top of the betting.
Both have great course form with Mickelson having won this event last year and Scott claiming the spoils in 2004.
Sawgrass is a course that places huge demands on all aspects of the players´ games. Unsurprisingly, the majority of past winners have all been Major champions.
If you´re thinking of placing a few bets this week that´s something to keep at the forefront of your mind.
Former US Open champion Jim Furyk gets our first selection. The local resident finished third here two years ago, fourth in 2003 and clearly knows his way round the tricky Pete Dye designed layout.
He showed some solid form at the recent Wachovia Championship in finishing seventh and has the mental toughness to cope with the serious examinations this course sets on almost every hole.
There is no more famous hole in golf than the notorious 17th. With an island green this par 3 has seen many a promising round finish in a watery grave.
The huge crowds that gather around the hole add to the tension and if the wind blows expect to see plenty of double bogeys and worse.
In short this isn´t a tournament for the faint-hearted. So our final tip is another player who wants for nothing when it comes to guts and determination.
2007 Open champion Padraig Harrington clearly has the game to handle Sawgrass.
The Dubliner has finished runner-up in 2003 and 2004 and already has three top 10s to his name Stateside this term - most notably coming home fifth at Augusta.
Irish golf is on the crest of a wave at the moment with recent wins for Darren Clarke and Peter Lawrie. Have a few shillings on Padraig to keep Irish eyes smiling.
