The Players Championship Odds: McIlroy & Scheffler's Past Sawgrass Performances

The world's best golfers will tee it up at Ponte Vedra Beach, Jacksonville, for the unofficial 'fifth' major on the golf calendar on Thursday. 

Scottie Scheffler returns as the defending champion, and the world number one is top of the outright market to win The Players Championship for a third successive year on betting sites. Who will stop him? 

Could it be Rory McIlroy? McIlroy was the last European winner at Sawgrass in 2019 and the Northern Irishman is second favourite for success this week.

Both players competed in last week's Arnold Palmer Invitational with Scheffler finishing in a tie for 11th on -4, while McIlroy was a shot further back in a share of 15th. 

And for the first two rounds, McIlroy and Scheffler will be playing together in the same group. 

This article analyses both players' previous performances at Sawgrass, breaking down everything from how their front nine compares to their back nine and of course how they handle the iconic 17th hole. 

McIlroy will be his 45th round at Sawgrass, while the American will tee it up on Thursday for his 15th.  

McIlroy & Scheffler Total Scores Per Hole At Sawgrass

It's fair to say Scheffler managed to master the course quicker than McIlroy, who won the unofficial 'fifth' major on his 10th appearance.

In 2023, Scheffler won it on his third visit and became the first player to successfully defend it last year.

Since his victory in 2019, McIlroy has missed the cut twice and finished in a tie for 33rd and 19th.

Our research team at Gambling.com have analysed the past performances of the world's best two golfers. 

Scottie Superior On Front Nine, Rory Rules The Back Nine

The ideal scenario would be for McIlroy to start his quest for a second Players title on the 10th.

Since carding a birdie to start his third round in 2017, McIlroy has managed just one birdie on the first hole in his next 19 rounds. 

Statistically, the 35-year-old performs better on the back nine. On the front nine, McIlroy is five over par, which is not good enough for a player of his undoubted quality. 

Front/Back 9 For McIlroy & Scheffler

While he has not played the course as often as his rival, Scheffler is -24 for the front nine.

McIlroy is at his best when his back is against the wall and he has to attack, which might explain why he is -33 under on the back nine. 

Scheffler is usually in a position where golf management comes into play more on the back nine, which is why he is nine under par for the back nine. 

McIlroy Needs To Improve on Par 3s And 4s

If McIlroy played the par 3s and 4s the way he plays the longer par 5s, then he would have multiple Players titles.

The Ulsterman is an incredible -80 for the four par 5s on the Stadium Course. On the par 3s and par 4s, McIlroy is a combined +52. 

That total includes 70 bogeys, 16 double bogeys and a triple bogey. Turning half of those dropped shots into pars would certainly have had McIlroy challenging on the final day more often than he has.

Stability is the key this year and if he could take a leaf out of Scheffler's book, McIlroy might be presented with the Tiffany-designed trophy after 72 holes. 

Scheffler, who has played down his chances of a Sawgrass three-peat, is level par on the short par 3s and five under for the par 4s. For the record, the world number one is -29 on the par 5s.

McIlroy Has A Decent Record On The Iconic 17th

The 17th at Sawgrass is arguably the most iconic hole in world golf. It's only 137-yards, but club selection has to be spot on.

Surrounded by water, landing the ball on the green should be easy for the world's best golfers.

However, the undulations can see a good-looking tee shot roll off the putting surface into the water, where the alligators live.

McIlroy should be full of confidence arriving at the 17th tee box. The 16th is statistically his favourite hole, with 25 birdies and three eagles from 44 rounds.

The last time the four-time Major winner dropped a shot at the 16th was during his opening round in 2016. Since then, it's been 13 birdies, two eagles and 10 pars. 

McIlroy's introduction to the 17th was a chastening experience. A triple-bogey six ruined what would have been an encouraging start to his Sawgrass career.

It took 10 rounds for McIlroy to pick up a shot on the Island hole. Since then, it's just one bogey and one double bogey in his last 34 attempts.

While McIlroy is -2 on the 17th, Scheffler is +2 for the troublesome hole. 

Both players might be happy to card four pars when taking on the challenge this week.