10 Golfers to Watch at The Players Championship 2025

Guest article by student sports journalist Fin Tait.

With the Arnold Palmer Invitational over, it's time to turn our eyes to what's next, The Players Championship. Known by many as the ‘fifth major’, The Players is one of the biggest and most prestigious events of the season.

This year the event will return to The Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. The fairways have been trimmed, the holes have been placed, and the trophy's been polished, all that's left is for someone to come and claim it. Here are 10 players you should keep your eye on this weekend.

Scottie Scheffler

Pretty inevitable to see the current world no.1 on most of these lists this season. Scheffler, the defending champion, will be making a huge push to secure the title for the third consecutive time. When the American won it back-to-back, he became the first ever player to do so. Can he be the first to go three from three?

Rory McIlroy

Another rather inevitable one, Rory has come out firing this season playing some great golf. Rory last won The Players back in 2019, but will he be able to carry his current form into the weekend and claim the title for a second time?

Ludvig Aberg

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Currently occupying 5th in the world rankings, the Swede is playing some wonderful golf early in the season so far. Winning the Genesis Invitational back in February, Ludvig is storming the PGA Tour and will definitely be in the running for this one.

Shane Lowry

The Irishman has just moved up to 14th in the world following the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Lowry played some top golf and led the tournament after round two. A disappointing third round took him slightly out the running. However, it was still a great showcase from the Irishman, and he will surely carry on his form and entertain this weekend.

Collin Morikawa

Currently 4th in the world, the two-time major champ is one of the many who look at the top of their game right now. He recorded a second-place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which followed another second-place finish in January at The Sentry. Can Morikawa finish the job at The Players Championship?

Hideki Matsuyama

Matsuyama has been in some great form this season, setting the tone very early on with a record breaking 35-under win at The Sentry in January. Definitely one to keep an eye on at TPC Sawgrass.

Xander Schauffele

After a rather disappointing weekend for the two-time reigning major champion, he will be very keen to turn it around at The Players Championship. The harsh reality check came after a two-month layoff with injury. Will the world no.3 be ready for such an occasion? Or could it be another tough watch for the American?

Tommy Fleetwood

The Englishman from Merseyside has been in some top form following his Olympic medal in Paris over the summer. Following a top five finish at the Genesis Invitational and T11 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Fleetwood will bring some entertainment to the TPC Sawgrass.

Keegan Bradley

Surprisingly announced as team USA’s captain for the upcoming Ryder Cup, the current world no.11th already has a top five and a top six finish so far this season. Could the US captain walk away with The Players Championship title this weekend?

Russell Henley

Fresh off the back of his Arnold Palmer Invitational win, Henley has also had three top 10 finishes this season so far. Henley has moved up to 7th in the world following his very recent victory, but could the American really go back-to-back tour wins?

Those are just 10 contenders, but no doubt there are other potential suspects who will be looking to get up the leaderboard this weekend. Patrick Cantlay has had a very steady start to the season so far and will be keen to carry his form on.

Jason Day is also coming off a nice finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, finishing T8 after a disappointing final round.

There are our top picks for this year's Players Championship. Will Scheffler hold his title for the third year running? Or will someone new come in and take it off him?

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