What a finish! Even without the three-hole aggregate score playoff and one hole of sudden death, the last few hours of the Players Championship was easily the most entertaining golf of the last several years.
It featured a charge from deep in the pack, some near-miss specialists trying for redemption, and rookies defying the odds. No less than seven players had very good chances of getting to 12-under to get into the playoff, or even of reaching 13-under, which could have been good enough for the win in regulation.
Let’s hit the links.
Hole #1: Overrated? Maybe Not
Rickie Fowler proved his doubters wrong at the Players Championship by mounting a stunning rally in the final round, playing the last six holes in six under. [Link]
Hole #2: Change Is Coming
Next year’s Players Championship maybe the last one played on the TPC Sawgrass course, at least as we know it. [Link]
Hole #3: Trophies Not Always Part of the Deal
Martin Kaymer never got his trophy from the 2014 Players Championship, so he plans to order one. [Link]
Hole #4: It’s All about the Money
It may not be a major, but the Players Championship does offer the richest purse in golf. [Link]
Hole #5: Quote of the Week
“I can’t believe I’ve actually won here,” Phil Mickelson. [Link]
Hole #6: NOT the Answer to Slow Play
Yes, slow play can be frustrating, but just don’t. [Link]
Hole #7: Squirrel
Maybe Fowler had some nuts tucked away in his golf bag. [Link]
Hole #8: Always Be on Brand
Jordan Spieth knows a thing or two about brand and earning that sponsor check. [Link]
Hole #9: Splitsville!
ICYMI: Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn are no longer an item. Both are reportedly hurting over the split but their schedules put them in different parts of the globe too often. For his part, Woods had his worst 72-hole performance (T69, +3) at the Players Championship. [Link]