THE PLAYERS leaderboard

It's that time of year again: the PLAYERS Championship is upon us.
Golf's "fifth major" is always one of the most exciting events of the year, and this year's edition promises to be no different. A star-studded field will descend on TPC Sawgrass this week, all vying for the coveted title.
Rory McIlroy is the defending champion and will be looking to make it two in a row. He's been in great form this year, winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational and finishing in the top 10 in his last two starts.
Other contenders include Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler, and Justin Thomas. Rahm is the world's top-ranked player and has been in red-hot form this year, winning three times already. Scheffler is the reigning Masters champion and is looking to add another major to his resume. Thomas is a former PLAYERS champion and is always a threat when he's in contention.
Of course, no discussion of the PLAYERS Championship would be complete without mentioning the infamous 17th hole. The island green is one of the most difficult holes in golf, and it has been the site of many dramatic moments over the years.
Who will win the 2023 PLAYERS Championship? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure: it's going to be an exciting week of golf.
Here are some of the storylines to watch this week:

Can Rory McIlroy defend his title?
Will Jon Rahm continue his hot streak?
Can Scottie Scheffler add another major to his resume?
Can Justin Thomas contend for his second PLAYERS Championship title?
How will the 17th hole play this week?

I'm excited to see how it all unfolds. Will you be watching?