Players hopefuls: The case for and against top contenders at Sawgrass

In the lead-up to all of golf's biggest events, you'll constantly hear the case made for why specific players will win - or have a good shot at winning - the upcoming tournament.

And this week's Players Championship is no different. The 154-man field is flush with talent, and there are so many golfers that have a real shot at claiming the PGA Tour's largest prize.

But there can only be one champion. So here's the case for and against the top-eight players in the betting market for why they will or won't win at TPC Sawgrass this week.

Jon Rahm

World Rank: 2nd
Odds to win: +1000
Best Players result: T-12 (2019)
Recent finishes: T-32 (WGC-Workday), T-5 (Genesis Invitational), T-13 (Phoenix Open)

The case for: Rahm was the 54-hole leader at Sawgrass in 2019 before giving it away with an ugly final round. But still, his performance proves he's capable of contending - and winning - a Players Championship at some point in his career.

The case against: The Spaniard's recent form hasn't been great. He has some high finishes lately, but it feels like we haven't seen Rahm in the thick of things on a Sunday in a long time.

Dustin Johnson

World Rank: 1st
Odds to win: +1200
Best Players result: T-5 (2019)
Recent finishes: T-54 (WGC-Workday), T-8 (Genesis Invitational), Win (Saudi International)

The case for: Johnson is clearly the best player in the world who can easily win anywhere on the planet. Is there anything else left to say?

The case against: It's dangerous to state why Johnson may not win - the last time we did, he ended up setting the scoring record in a dominant victory at the Masters. However, you'd expect the 24-time PGA Tour winner to have a better track record at Sawgrass. He only has one top-10 in 11 appearances at the event, largely because the course neutralizes his distance off the tee.

Bryson DeChambeau

World Rank: 6th
Odds to win: +1400
Best Players result: T-20 (2019)
Recent finishes: Win (Arnold Palmer Invitational), T-22 (WGC-Workday), MC (Genesis Invitational)

The case for: DeChambeau is coming off an impressive win at Bay Hill and clearly playing extremely good golf. TPC Sawgrass requires a lot of thought and strategy, and few are more thorough with their preparation than the long-hitting American.

The case against: TPC Sawgrass will limit DeChambeau's biggest weapon - his driver. There are a lot of forced layups and tight holes surrounded by water that don't require him to hit the big stick.

Rory McIlroy

World Rank: 11th
Odds to win: +1700
Best Players result: Win (2019)
Recent finishes: T-10 (Arnold Palmer Invitational), T-6 (WGC-Workday), MC (Genesis Invitational)

The case for: McIlroy is the defending champion and has every tool in the shed to get the job done again at TPC Sawgrass. He's playing very consistently this season but hasn't put it all together for four rounds ... yet.

The case against: No player has successfully defended the Players Championship in the tournament's 47-year history. That's a lot of evidence that shows going back-to-back at Sawgrass is really hard.

Justin Thomas

World Rank: 3rd
Odds to win: +1800
Best Players result: T-3 (2016)
Recent finishes: T-15 (WGC-Workday), MC (Genesis Invitational), T-13 (Phoenix Open)

The case for: Since making his tournament debut in 2015, Thomas has made more birdies or better than any player at TPC Sawgrass, according to the 15th Club's Justin Ray.

The case against: He's also tied for the second most bogeys or worse at Sawgrass since his debut. If Thomas fails to keep the ball dry off the tee, it'll be a short week for the world No. 3.

Collin Morikawa

World Rank: 4th
Odds to win: +2200
Best Players result: Making Players debut
Recent finishes: Win (WGC-Workday), T-43 (Genesis Invitational), T-68 (Dubai Desert Classic)

The case for: Morikawa is coming off a brilliant victory at the tough Concession Golf Club. There might not be a more perfectly designed player to win at TPC Sawgrass than the 24-year-old ball-striking wizard.

The case against: He's technically making his tournament debut. He shot 4-under in Round 1 before the tournament was canceled last year, but Sawgrass is rarely a place where first-timers find the winner's circle.

Xander Schauffele

World Rank: 5th
Odds to win: +2100
Best Players result: T-2 (2018)
Recent finishes: T-39 (WGC-Workday), T-15 (Genesis Invitational), T2 (Phoenix Open)

The case for: Schauffele is one of the most consistent players on the PGA Tour right now and has climbed the world rankings despite only having a few wins. He was a runner-up in his debut at Sawgrass in 2018.

The case against: His lack of victories. For someone as talented as Scahuffele and in contention as much as he is, it's surprising to find out the 27-year-old only has four wins - three of those coming in no-cut events.

Patrick Cantlay

World Rank: 9th
Odds to win: +2100
Best Players result: T-22 (2017)
Recent finishes: T-15 (Genesis Invitational), T-3 (Pebble Beach), 2nd (American Express)

The case for: Cantlay might have the best form of anyone entering the tournament without a win this year. Everything about his game - a phenomenal driver of the ball, great iron player, solid on and around the greens - lines up with what's needed to win the Players.

The case against: Like Schauffele, Cantlay has a tough time crossing the finish line. He only has three PGA Tour wins with way more close calls than he'd like.

(Odds source: theScore Bet)