In preparation for the 50th anniversary of THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponta Vedra Beach, Florida, professional bettors and oddsmakers are eagerly analyzing matchups and identifying value plays. With considerable handle and increased interest in golf betting, experts are sharing their insights on the upcoming tournament.

According to Drew O'Dell, data analyst at BetMGM, there has been a notable surge in handle for this week's event compared to the previous week. Hall of Fame bookmaker Chris Andrews also acknowledged a healthy amount of betting activity, particularly in head-to-head matchups.

Tristan Davis, senior manager at Mandalay Bay Race & Sportsbook, observed action coming in on players like Hideki Matsuyama, Justin Rose, and Keith Mitchell. Interestingly, Mitchell generated mixed reactions from bettors, with sharp money on him to beat Christiaan Bezuidenhout but also attention on him to miss the cut.

Several players have attracted bets in matchup markets, including Matsuyama, Byeong-Hun An, Mitchell, Rose, Ryan Fox, Davis Thompson, Kevin Yu, and Garrick Higgo, as noted by Andrews.

Professional bettor Paul Stone shared two head-to-head matchups he favors this week. Stone believes Tom Hoge has a good chance of outperforming Chris Kirk due to his solid current form and successful track record at TPC Sawgrass. Stone also backs Adam Scott over Harris English, emphasizing Scott's consistent performance at THE PLAYERS contrasted by English's recent string of missed cuts.

The notable performance of World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler at the Arnold Palmer Invitational has generated significant backing from bettors for potential success at THE PLAYERS. However, Justin Thomas and Will Zalatoris currently pose the biggest liabilities for Davis. Longshots like former PLAYERS champion Rickie Fowler and Nick Taylor have also gained traction among bettors.

Wes Reynolds, a golf expert at VSiN, expressed confidence in Russell Henley's strong recent performance, recommending him both for an outright win and a top-30 finish. Expert Rufus Peabody shared his positive outlook on Rory McIlroy's chances of securing a second PLAYERS title, while also mentioning longer shots like Tom Kim and Sungjae Im.

Professional bettor Johnny Disimone joined Reynolds in endorsing Henley, this time in the Top 10 market. Disimone also favored Erik van Rooyen for a Top 20 finish, citing his impressive recent form and past success at TPC Sawgrass.

Chris Fallica, known as "The Bear," identified Doug Ghim as an intriguing longshot for a top-20 finish. Highlighting Ghim's strong stat profile and consistent performance at TPC Sawgrass, Fallica believes Ghim has the potential for a solid weekend in 2024.

As the tournament approaches, bettors have also shown interest in the iconic par-3 17th hole at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course. The "Will There Be a Hole-in-One" bet has overwhelmingly received bets on the "NO" option, while the "YES" option for a hole-in-one on Hole 17 has attracted attention as well.

With a wide range of opinions and plays from professionals across Texas, Canada, and Las Vegas, bettors are casting a wide net in search of value and excitement at TPC Sawgrass. As the 50th edition of THE PLAYERS Championship commences, all eyes will be on the tournament's unfolding drama and the outcomes of these intriguing match-ups.

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