The Players
Championship
It isn’t a major, but the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass is still considered to be among the best events on
the PGA Tour, boasting one of the largest winner’s purses and attracting the biggest names in golf year after year.
With the defending champion,
Tiger
Woods still recovering from back surgery and
Jason Day out with a thumb injury, the Players Championship will host 46 of the top 50 golfers in the world
this week. Leaving the $1.8 million USD purse to whoever is up for the challenge.
So will
Phil Mickelson finally
secure a 2014 win? Or will it be one of the young guns, like
Patrick Reed or
Jordan Spieth who claim victory on their first go at Sawgrass? Whatever the outcome, based on its history we
can be assured of a good show in Florida this weekend.
Over the past three decades this incredible tournament has given way to a number of interesting highlights, usually
associated with its ominous 17th hole. From incredible putts to a seagull making off with ball, this island-like green
has been front and centre for many of the tournament’s key moments.
Leading some to observe you don’t win on 17, you lose on it. Or as
Luke Donald put it,
“It’s do-or-
die.”
With golf being a game of precision, the 17th lends its way to being possibly the most unforgiving hole there is. Hit it
too long, water, hit it too short, water, too far to the right, water, too far to the left- you get the picture. This
incredible hole has been responsible for amazing wins as well as some disastrous endings, just ask Sean O’Hair.
This year the Players Championship has added a 3-hole playoff in the event of a tie. Before, players headed
straight to sudden death on the 17th and prayed the water gods would be kind. But 2014 will see a different ending if
necessary as 17 will have to share the limelight with 16 and 18.
“Holes 16, 17 and 18 of The Players Stadium Course are perhaps the most dramatic closing holes in professional golf
from a risk-reward standpoint, as they test all facets of a player’s physical and mental game while under the
pressure of trying to win such a significant championship,” explained PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem.
“There will no doubt be more drama, more excitement and more memorable moments going forward thanks to this
change,” added the Players Championship executive director
Matt Rapp.
Whatever the ending we can’t wait to see what the weekend will bring!
