2014 Players Championship Discussion Thread

[mvmac]

Who are your favorites this week for golf's "5th major"?

Seems there might be some issues with the greens.

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/sawgrass-greens-get-mixed-reviews-players-monday/

Quote:

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Reviews were mixed as players arrived on Monday at TPC Sawgrass , where the combination of a cold and wet winter and the “misapplication” of a product designed to combat the wintery conditions has resulted in less-than-ideal conditions on some of the greens.

Nos. 4, 11 and 12 were closed on Monday and will be closed again on Tuesday to all practice rounds as officials scramble to improve the condition of the putting surfaces before Thursday’s opening round at the circuit’s flagship event.

The Tour closed the Stadium Course on April 14 and warm and sunny conditions the last few days have sped the recovery. Most players who were onsite Monday said the greens were better than they expected.

“I don’t think it will have a huge impact on the competition,” said Steve Stricker following a practice round on Monday. “Cosmetically, they don’t look the best in some areas but there is plenty of room to put a good pin location.”

Matt Every , who lives near TPC Sawgrass and plays the course regularly, said, “They are not that bad.”

The green on the par-5 11 ^th hole was the most severely damaged of the putting surfaces, with a large portion of the back of the green recently re-sodded which will likely keep officials from using the traditional back right hole location.

Although Tour officials have declined to reveal what the “product” was that damaged the greens, multiple sources told GolfChannel.com that it was Primo Maxx, a plant growth regulator that aids in root development.

According to sources, the agronomy staff used the regulator on half of a practice putting green on the “player’s” portion of the range and not the other half. The half with the Primo Maxx was damaged while the other half without was not.

[Chilli Dipper]

When it comes to Sawgrass, I look for whoever is near the top of the total driving stats on tour. I expect a big week for Louis Oosthuizen, who leads the tour in that statistic so far in 2014.

[Shindig]

Well, I wanted to see Tiger Woods win this year, but it'd have to be an amazing comeback, what with not being in the field and all. So I'll go with Gary Woodland.

[ChrisP]

I think you're going to see a lot of unknowns in the hunt this week, which kinda fits with the theme of the year. This is definitely the most parity-driven and strange year I've ever seen. However, I do like Matt Kuchar a lot this week. He's been consistently in the top-5 the last couple months and he won here 2 years ago and I think he does it again.

[Motley01]

I really wanted Phil to win, but he just can't put 4 rounds together and I have no idea why.

So my guess will be a guy NOT in the top 10, or top 20 for that matter. Whoever that is?

[Royster1984]

I've put my money on Rory, just hoping he can put 4 rounds together.

[ChrisP]

Rory has a horrible track record at Sawgrass. Course doesn't suit his game too well.

[tmac20]

Rory has a horrible track record at Sawgrass. Course doesn't suit his game too well.

He was T8 there last year despite having a poor year.

[ChrisP]

He was T8 there last year despite having a poor year.

Backdoor T8. Never contended. Just not a good course for him, but I hope I'm wrong. I really want to see Rory contend or even win this week.

[Royster1984]

Backdoor T8. Never contended. Just not a good course for him, but I hope I'm wrong. I really want to see Rory contend or even win this week.

When hes on his game he can beat any course, so lets just hope he is on his a-game :D

[Hammer 4]

As always, I'm gonna go out on a limb, and say Jonas Blixt for the win.

[jefkve]

Dont care who wins as long as Sergio puts a few more in the water.

[Motley01]

Dont care who wins as long as Sergio puts a few more in the water.

Geeeeez.... that wasn't very nice.....Sergio hater?

[SteveBamford]

Always love THE PLAYERS and it does have a history of throwing up some random winners, who after their win make total sense!.  Great course form doesn't seem to be a pre-requisite to winning here, as Kuchar and Choi of late had only a number of T20 finishes between them around the Stadium Course; but what does seem a consistent trend is pedigree. Go back to 2007 and you see winners with Major Championship victories or Top 5 finishes to their names.  There also seems to be a link (Tiger apart) of players who haven't won for a period of time, getting the job done here.  Local resident and TPC Sawgrass regular Jim Furyk therefore ticks a lot of boxes for me this week.

[atb5079]

I think this is Rickie Fowler's week. All the changes he has made with Butch, I think more wins will start happening. He has played pretty well this year and I just think its his time to get another win and finally move on from a one win guy.

But who the hell knows? Jonas Blixt could win. CRAPSHOOT

[David in FL]

Dont care who wins as long as Sergio puts a few more in the water.

Geeeeez.... that wasn't very nice.....Sergio hater?

Isn't everyone?

I've gotta think Kuchar's going to continue his hot streak.  Wouldn't discount Zack Johnson and his wedge game either.

[Chilli Dipper]

I've gotta think Kuchar's going to continue his hot streak.  Wouldn't discount Zack Johnson and his wedge game either.

History at the Players would suggest otherwise. There haven't been too many multiple champions at this event, and those who have had to wait a long time to get that second victory (Steve Elkington's wins were six years apart; Sutton, Couples, Love, and Woods all had more than a decade separating their titles). Want to ride a former winner this week? Go with Adam Scott.

[3putter]

Sang Moon-Bae