Power rankings for the Players Championship: Scottie Scheffler not No. 1

Bhatia is coming off the biggest win of his career at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and he could easily parlay that into another strong week at TPC Sawgrass. After all, he was the 36-hole leader here last year before finishing in a tie for third. 

6. Tommy Fleetwood

Fleetwood would normally be higher on this list, but his recent ball-striking is a bit concerning. The Englishman ranks just 97th on Tour this season in strokes gained on approach and 66th in total driving efficiency, so it's hard to trust him on a course that demands a pristine tee-to-green game. 

5. Si Woo Kim

Speaking of a pristine tee-to-green game, Kim has been elite in that category this season. He ranks first in proximity to the hole, second in strokes gained on approach and fourth in driving accuracy, leading to seven top-13 finishes in his last nine starts.

Kim, a former winner of the Players Championship, is in a great spot to contend for his second title here.

4. Ludvig Aberg

After a poor start to the season, Aberg has woken up at just the right time. The Swede finished T3 and ranked second in the field in strokes gained from tee to green at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, marking his best ball-striking performance since his win at the Genesis Invitational last year. 

3. Scottie Scheffler

Yes, you read that right — Scheffler isn't No. 1 on the list. The two-time Players champion lost strokes on approach at the API for the first time since the 2024 BMW Championship, continuing his trend of poor iron play.

Scheffler ranks just 88th on Tour this season in strokes gained on approach, so he doesn't deserve the top spot right now.

2. Rory McIlroy

This is a tough one considering McIlroy withdrew from the API with a back injury and still hasn't traveled to TPC Sawgrass as he continues to receive treatment. A healthy McIlroy, who's won this tournament twice and is the reigning champion, would be No. 1 on this list. The uncertainty drops him down one spot.

1. Collin Morikawa

Morikawa is in elite form heading into the PGA Tour's flagship event. The American has finished first, T7 and solo fifth in his last three starts, and he's gained a whopping 31.04 true strokes from off the tee and on approach in that span.