Thunderstorms could play a part during day 1 at Sawgrass which could cause havoc with the first round leader market, however I believe it is worth investing in a handful in the early wave. Should they get an uninterrupted go at the opening 18 in the morning then they could easily be the best of it.

The fly in the ointment is that the afternoon wave may get the majority of their round on Friday morning, on a much softer golf course. However if there is no lift, clean and place in operation before the start of round one then they may need to deal with mud on the ball. Overall, I think it's worth the risk chancing a couple early doors. 

Players Championship FRL

Ludvig Aberg at 33/1 (Seven Places)

Ludvig Aberg has been a frustrating one to follow personally this year, but that continued for punters last week when he failed to capitalise upon a promising position. He is trending in the right direction though and is a lively prospect in the outright market. If it pans out that the early wave get the better of this then Aberg has to be a major threat. In his last seven starts he has landed first round leader once and been runner up once also. That runner up was last week at Bayhill and just like the way Scheffler has had a bit of a barren run in the first round of tournaments of late, Aberg can possibly do the opposite and make a fast start two weeks on the trot. In the Majors there is a trend that the best players in the world often land the first round leader market and it would be foolish to ignore some of the best in the early tee times.

1pt each-way L.Aberg FRL 33/1  (1/5 7) Coral, Ladbrokes

Collin Morikawa at 30/1 (Six Places)

Collin Morikawa plays alongside Aberg on day one and he is my second high profile player on the staking plan. Morikawa is another in serious form who holds fair claims in the outright market. He looks a no brainer bet in this on day one though given the golf he is playing. He has been inside the top 7 at the end of eight of his last ten rounds. That form is difficult to ignore and we know exactly how he can blitz a field on any given day should his putter warm up. It takes a mighty effort over four days to win this event and with scrambling often playing a big part I was put off in the outright market for that reason. In a 18 hole shootout though I'm happy to give him a rattle.

1pt each-way C.Morikawa FRL 30/1  (1/5 6) Starsports, PricedUp

Johnny Keefer at 125/1 (Six Places)

Johnny Keefer looks one to side with in the early wave. It has been a quick rise through the ranks for Keefer who managed two Korn Ferry Tour victories in his maiden year. In just over a year he has managed to top the leaderboard after round 1 twice, and runner up twice. He hasn't had quite the same record since gaining his PGA Tour card but it must be said his ball striking throughout has been superb. The short game has proven his undoing but with his driver and irons in really good shape he is more than capable of going well early here. One good day with the putter could well spark success in this market. 

0.75pt each-way K.Keefer FRL 125/1  (1/5 6) Starsports, PricedUp