Editor’s Note: Don’t just bet your favorite sports. LIVE YOUR BET LIFE! Get started today at PointsBet with two risk-free bets up to $2,000. Bet now!
Finally, players were welcomed back to TPC Sawgrass Saturday morning whether they liked it or not. With thunderstorms, tornado warnings, and gale force winds occupying the early hours, play did not resume until 12:00 p.m. EST.
It began with a bang, or should I say splash, as the first trio to come to the par-3 17th saw all three tee shots fall to the bottom of the lake. Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Brooks Koepka were the island green’s first victims as Collin Morikawa and many others would follow in their footsteps.
A theme which would define Saturday at The Players Championship, it was the defending champion, Justin Thomas, who proved to be the most well-equipped for the task at hand. At first not the case, the world No. 8 completed his first round on a low note, double-bogeying the difficult par-4 18th and thus erasing all of Thursday and Friday’s work as he settled for an even-par 72.
The smooth swinging American would remain level-headed on a day which saw typical cool customers motion to throw clubs and laugh off wayward shots. Varying trajectory, chipping in, and connecting from distance with the putter in hand, Thomas signed for a mistake-free 3-under 69.
Getting the better of the field average by nearly seven-strokes, the 28-year-old played himself into a position to become the first back-to-back Players Champion. Yet to be accomplished in the championship’s 48-year history, it is baffling Thomas remains without a victory since last March.
While most will discuss Thomas’ creativity, control, or short game touch when describing his play today, the keys to unlock his fullest potential will and always have been found on the greens. Riddled with putting woes the last few years, the 14-time winner simply needs to be average with his gamer to experience extraordinary results.
Far from average in his second round, Thomas posted +2.34 Strokes Gained: Putting, ranking sixth in the field when play was suspended. Converting crucial, momentum-saving par efforts on Saturday, it will be those moments which will decide not only his week, but ultimately his career.
Listed at +1100 at PointsBet Sportsbook, Thomas trails the current leaders by three-strokes, but only world No. 1 Jon Rahm on the odds board. With many still needing to complete their second rounds, the Alabama product will sit back and relax for most of Sunday with the hopes of equally difficult conditions materializing for his counterparts.
Editor’s Note: Now, all our premium tools for Fantasy, DFS and Betting are included in one subscription at one low price. Customers can subscribe to NBC Sports EDGE+ monthly ($9.99) or save 20% on an annual subscription ($95.88). And don’t forget to use promo code SAVE10 to get 10% off. Click here to learn more!
Updated Odds to Win (Odds Via PointsBet):
+700: Jon Rahm
+1100: Cameron Smith, Justin Thomas
+1200: Louis Oosthuizen
+1400: Joaquin Niemann, Tommy Fleetwood
+1600: Tom Hoge
+1800: Sam Burns
+2000: Abraham Ancer, Will Zalatoris
+2200: Daniel Berger, Viktor Hovland
+2500: Dustin Johnson, Keith Mitchell
+3300: Alex Noren, Brian Harman, Tyrrell Hatton
+4000: Bubba Watson, Corey Conners, Patrick Cantlay
+5000: Harold Varner III, Paul Casey, Russell Henley
+6600: Jhonattan Vegas
+7000: Aaron Wise
+8000: Doug Ghim, Kevin Kisner, Seamus Power, Taylor Pendrith
+10000: Anirban Lahiri, Gary Woodland, Kramer Hickok, Sergio Garcia, Shane Lowry
Round 2 Plays (Odds Via PointsBet):
Sam Burns +1400 to Lead After Round 2 (0.71 units):
The forecast tomorrow does not look ideal, but Burns was one of the lucky few to not strike a golf shot today. Beginning his second round early Sunday morning, the LSU product played great in his first round on Thursday. Ranking second in SG: Tee-to-Green by way of posting +2.65 SG: Off-the-Tee and +2.63 SG: Approach, Burns appears to be rediscovering his fall form.
Stumbling out of the gates in 2022, a top-10 finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week may have finally provided a spark Burns’ fans have been longing for. On the back of a strong putting performance, it was the wand which disappointed the 25-year-old in Round 1 at TPC Sawgrass.
Signing for a 4-under 68, Burns missed six putts inside 10-feet in his first round. Still only two-strokes off the lead, I expect to see plenty of movement on the first page of the leaderboard tomorrow. Known as a player over the last year to thrive on momentum, Burns can run as hot as anyone and will hopefully do just that on a chilly, albeit slightly calmer Sunday at TPC Sawgrass.
Props/Placings YTD: +0.00 units, +0.00%
Total YTD: +57.44 units, +88.00%
PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links. NJ, IA, IN, IL, CO, MI, VA, WV only. 21+. T&C apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
