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Here's who Jack Green is picking in his golf tips for this week at Sawgrass.

Back to win: Rory McIlroy

No Players champion has ever successfully defended the title, but McIlroy’s phenomenal form means he’s got a great chance to go back-to-back this week.

The world No. 1 has finished inside the top five in seven successive starts dating back to October, and that run includes a victory at the WGC – HSBC Champions in November.

McIlroy was the favourite heading into the final round at last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, but a couple of double bogeys killed his chances on Sunday. He’s getting into contention so regularly, though, that it’s only a matter of time until he wins again.

He’s got a great record at Sawgrass. Along with last year’s victory, he’s finished T12 or better in four of his last seven starts.

Each-way shout: Webb Simpson

Simpson won this event in 2018 and is coming into form just at the right time to do so again this year.

Although he disappointed with a T61 at the WGC – Mexico Championship last time out, the American had finished inside the top three in three of his previous four starts, including a win at the Waste Management Phoenix Open in February.

Simpson’s form has seen him climb to seventh in the world rankings, and he’s proven with past victories at the US Open and Deutsche Bank Championship that he can triumph at a big, competitive event such as this.

Along with his win here in 2018, the 34-year-old has three other top-20 finishes at Sawgrass since 2013.

Outside shot: Matt Kuchar

Kuchar finished T22 at the WGC – Mexico Championship in his last start in February, one week after he finished T2 at the Genesis Invitational.

The American has made a strong start to 2020, having also edged out Justin Rose to win the Singapore Open on the Asian Tour in January.

Kuchar won this event in 2012 and finished third in 2016, so it’d be no surprise if he’s in contention once again on Sunday.

The 41-year-old isn’t a prolific winner on the PGA Tour, but he had seven top-10 finishes last year and is worth an each-way bet this week.

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