A brilliant field on one of the Tour’s more interesting layouts for a jaw dropping purse just four weeks before The Masters, what’s not to like?

Yes, it will be overhyped by the TV announcers and yes the endless carry on about the 17th hole will border on unbearable but drown all that out and strap in for what is almost always a thrilling ride.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Some spectacular weekend golf saw Justin Thomas take the title by a stroke over Lee Westwood.

After a Saturday 64, Thomas started the final round three behind the Englishman and had made no inroads after nine holes, but he played the trio of 10, 11 and 12 in four-under with a birdie-eagle-birdie run and by the time he reached the 13th tee was two ahead.

RIGHT: Justin Thomas claimed the title in 2021 after a hot back nine on Sunday saw him pass Lee Westwood. PHOTO: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images.

Thomas eventually signed for four-under 68 and, one ahead of Westwood.

COURSE: It’s hard to know where to begin with TPC Sawgrass, perhaps one of the most famed layouts in the golf world.

A controversial Pet Dye creation when it opened in 1980, today’s course bears little resemblance to the original.

Complaints were long and loud after the first Players staged there in 1982 and the Stadium Course has been gradually softened and tweaked over the years into the more manicured layout we see today.

Still, it is a course with plenty of architectural merit and even a brief perusal of the players who have won here shows it is no one trick pony.

Everyone from the short hitting Fred Funk and Tim Clark to power players like Fred Couples and Tiger Woods have hoisted the trophy here and no player has won at TPC Sawgrass more than twice.

Scoring can fluctuate significantly depending on weather conditions but given the calibre of field it is no surprise the winner is normally double digits under par at the end of the week.

Holes to watch include the driveable par-4 12th (tweaked again this year after a redesign some years ago) and the finishing trio.

The 18th hole of the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass has been the scene for plenty of Players Championship drama over the years. PHOTO: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images.

The par-5 16th is really the final scoring opportunity and plays under its par, but both 17 and 18 are the opposite.

Once it’s down to the final few groups Sunday afternoon, the island green par-3 becomes must watch TV, especially if the scoring is close.

The combination of stifling pressure, perhaps the most visually intimidating hole in professional golf and one of the game’s biggest titles on the line makes for a true test of character. It is compelling to watch.

PRIZEMONEY: US$20,000,000

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PLAYERS TO WATCH: It really is all but impossible to make any sensible picks this week.

The strength of field means almost any player teeing up is capable of winning and with past form little in the way of guidance for future success it is an open book.

48 of the world’s top-50 will tee up at Sawgrass (Bryson DeChambeau has withdrawn with injury and Phil Mickelson continues his sabbatical from the game) and it would be hard to imagine several of those in the top-10 not being somewhere near the business end of the leaderboard come Sunday.

In that group look particularly for 2019 champion Rory McIlroy and defending champion Justin Thomas to feature as well as World No.2 Collin Morikawa.

Past champions Adam Scott and Rory McIlroy are among the players to keep an eye on this week. PHOTO: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images.

But it is further down the list the possibilities get interesting and World No.25 Matt Fitzpatrick will be worth a look this week.

He’s been in solid recent form including top-10 finishes at Bay Hill and Phoenix and has just the type of all round game which can do well at Sawgrass.

He had his best result in five appearances last year with a T9 and it would be no surprise to see him contending this week.

Another who may surprise is Adam Scott. The 2004 winner has been quietly going about his business this year and while not at his best has been solid in all departments.

A top-5 at Riviera two weeks ago will have given him confidence and while he struggled at Bay Hill after an opening 68 that is unlikely to continue this week.

72-HOLE RECORD: 264 (-24, Greg Norman, 1994)

18-HOLE RECORD: 63 (Fred Couples, 1992; Greg Norman, 1994; Roberto Castro, 2013; Martin Kaymer, 2014; Jason Day, 2016; Colt Knost, 2016; Webb Simpson, 2018 and Brooks Koepka, 2018)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Steve Elkington (1991, 1997), Greg Norman (1994), Adam Scott (2004) and Jason Day (2016).

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Adam Scott, Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, Jason Day, Lucas Herbert, Cam Davis and Matt Jones.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 4am –10am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 4am – 10am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 5am – 10am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 4am – 9am)
*AEDT, check local guides