Players offers fans major excitement
IN: News | US PGA | The Players Championship (2008) | Preview | by Bruce Young | 07 May 2008
While there are many who would dispute the use of the term ‘fifth major’ in describing its status, there are few who would argue that the Players Championship offers some of the most anticipated viewing of the year in tournament golf.
The closing stretch of holes at the TPC Sawgrass can be a rollercoaster ride for not only those players trying to negotiate their way through one of the most potentially dangerous combination of holes, but for golf fans worldwide. The intrigue of the final three holes at the TPC Sawgrass is the tremendous mixture of risk and reward incorporated into the design of the par five 16th, the par three 17th and the par four 18th.
Three examples readily spring to mind in recent years. The amazing finish by Craig Perks in 2002 when he chipped in for eagle at the 16th, holed a huge putt at the 17th for birdie then chipped in from behind the green at the 18th for birdie to defeat Stephen Ames by two shots. Perks’ game has subsequently deserted him and this year he will act as a commentator for the the PGA Tour.
On the downside of the equation are two classic examples of players falling at the final hurdle. In 1998 Len Mattiace was one behind playing the 17th and hit two balls in the water while, in 2007, Sean O’Hair was within one of Phil Mickelson when he stood on the 17th tee but, after two balls in the water, 6th was the best he could do.
The TPC Sawgrass underwent significant change in 2006 and it was a relatively new look golf course that greeted the players in 2007. Newly grassed greens were in play for the first time in 2007 incorporating improved drainage and therefore slightly firmer greens The later date also made a difference in appearance as much of the winter over-seeding had grown out by mid May as opposed the earlier date in March when the event had been traditionally played. It made little difference to the scores in 2007 however with Phil Mickelson’s winning score of 11 under about the norm.
Without Tiger Woods in the field as he recovers from knee surgery, the favourites are the two players behind Woods in the world rankings who just happen to be players with good records at The TPC Sawgrass.
Mickelson has played the layout well in recent years after struggling there earlier in his career while for Scott, not only did he win in 2005 but he has had two other top ten finishes in a total of six starts in the event. Both are playing well enough at present, more especially Scott, who appears to be close to the peak of his game.
Stewart Cink finished third in the event last year and is in rare form at present. Prior to 2007 he had not done all that well at Sawgrass but with the improved showing behind him and a great level of consistency in his play at present he stands a good chance.
Jim Furyk has recorded only two top tens in eleven visits to the event but like Cink finished third last year for his best ever finish. With top tens in each of his last two starts in 2008 he is in good enough form to be a chance to win for the first time since last August.
Vijay Singh keeps teasing but he seems to be there or thereabouts each week. He made a mess of the 17th hole last week at Wachovia costing himself a high finish but he has shown on occasions that he can handle this layout. He finished runner up to Tiger Woods in 2001 and has one or two other top ten finishes.
Geoff Ogilvy was perhaps disappointing last week at the Wachovia on such a demanding golf course and he has not exactly had a good relationship with Sawgrass with a best of 16th in six starts and missing three cuts in that time.
Sergio Garcia is proving a little hard to work out at present. He has some good performances at Sawgrass to his name but although he has been consistent of late he has seldom contended in recent weeks. It has been three years since he won an event of any kind but when Garcia puts it all together he is capable of beating any field. It would not be a great surprise if it was this week.
Australasia has 17 players in the field although there is an injury cloud surrounding Peter Lonard at present. Lonard was forced to withdraw from last week’s Wachovia Championship and although he is in Ponte Vedra Beach at present he said today his back was still causing concern. An MRI scan today indicated nothing too sinister but his participation or otherwise is still in the air.
Robert Allenby has been very consistent of late making all but one of his last 13 cuts. He finished 4th last week on a demanding golf course but he does not have a good record at this event, a 4th place finish in 2003 his only top ten in 11 starts. He is, though, in very good form and might overcome his TPC Sawgrass voodoo.
Despite some good recent form, Aaron Baddeley has a poor record in this event, while Stuart Appleby, previous winner Steve Elkington, Mathew Goggin, Nathan Green, Mark Hensby, Matt Jones, Stephen Leaney, Nick O’Hern, Rod Pampling, John Senden, and New Zealanders Michael Campbell and Tim Wilkinson make up the balance of those from down under.
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