2015 The Players Championship DiscussionThread

[Rick Martin]

When : May 7 - 10, 2015 on Golf Channel/NBC

Where : TPC Sawgrass (The Players Stadium Course), Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

FedExCup Points: 600

Purse: $10 million / Winner Share : $1.8 million

Defending Chapion: Martin Kaymer

They call it the unofficial “fifth major” on the PGA Tour: the huge-purse Players Championship tees off this week at TPC Sawgrass, home to the famous island hole Par-3 17th.

Each May, The Players Championship showcases excitement and intensity, not to mention the beauty of one of the most recognized courses in the world. Players Championship brings the golf top competitors to this superior, demanding golf course.

Although it does not quite make it to Major status, as it is not considered an official event of the European Tour, The PLAYERS Championship is still considered to be in a category all its own.

As The Players Championship is the richest event of the PGA Tour it can be expected to draw a field of the top 50 golfers on the Official World Golf Ranking. Since Jack Nicklaus’ victory in the 1970s, The Players Championship has been one of the PGA TOUR’s most coveted titles.

Fred Couples, Greg Norman and Tiger Woods are among the great names who have won at the Stadium Course at The TPC Sawgrass over the years.

Besides the $9 million purse making The PLAYERS Championship the richest tournament of the PGA Tour, the winners are rewarded with ever-important career benefits, such as a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour, an open invitation to the ( U.S. Masters Golf Tournament ) for three consecutive years, a three-year exemption for the ( British Open golf tournament ), and exemptions to both the ( U.S. Open Golf Championship ) and the ( PGA Championship ) for the year.

[ChrisP]

Looking forward to it this year with Tiger playing and Jordan and Rory in top form. I really like Jordan next week. Finished 2nd here a year ago and is playing with a lot of confidence right now. Don't be fooled by his early exit at the Match Play....he shot 16-under par over 3 days and if that was a stroke play event, he'd probably have won it.

[jamo]

One of my favorite events and courses of the season.

[Rick Martin]

Arrived in Jacksonville Beach this a.m. Will be here through Friday - going to practice rounds, and Th, F rounds - has become an annual trek for the event since I moved to FLA.

[Wally Fairway]

Hard not to pick Spieth, as well as he has been playing.

Love this site, and this event.

[saevel25]

Rory sure did look good today. If he hits his stride watch out. Furyk is playing well and that is his home course. It isn't an overly long course, but requires a lot of precision.

I hope Rory goes back to back, if not I'll be rooting for Furyk. I'd like to see him get on a roll again. Always fun to see the guy with the most unorthodox swing win.

[ChrisP]

Rory doesn't have a good track record at Sawgrass. However, Rory never has traditionally played well in April, May or June. He's peaking a little earlier this year and with the par-5s at Sawgrass, you'd think it would suit him. You just have to wonder how fatigued he will be playing nearly the equivalent of two full tournaments in less than 5 days and having to go cross country. It's usually harder on the body going from West to East.

[Jakester23]

It would be nice to see DJ do well this week. I also think Horschel is on his game so he could be a factor. If its anyone besides Rory I'll be happy.

[Shindig]

Tiger Woods playing one of my favorite golf courses and, God willing, winning on Mother's Day. I know we'll be watching Sunday and at least two members of my family want to see him win.

[GeorgiaGolfer]

Tiger Woods playing one of my favorite golf courses and, God willing, winning

This tournament has Tiger's name all over it. I think we are are about to see the next phase of Tiger's career begin this weekend.

[ChrisP]

This tournament has Tiger's name all over it. I think we are are about to see the next phase of Tiger's career begin this weekend.

You do realize the Players is a tournament he doesn't traditionally do well in, right?

[Rick Martin]

Rory, Jordan and Jason grouped together. Starting early 10th hole (8:39).

Kaymer, Scott and TW @ 1:49 (1st hole ).

http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/the-players-championship/tee-times.html

[Rick Martin]

Adult-free autograph zone may weed out the eBay hucksters and adult Tiger Woods groupies.....

Jacksonville.com

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There's a certain spot near the TPC Sawgrass practice range that is off-limits this week at The Players Championship to so-called adults who want the autograph of a PGA Tour player for the sole purpose of cashing in.

"Kids' Corner," near the entrance to the range, is a circular fenced-off area guarded by a sign with defending champion Martin Kaymer holding his left arm out about 4 feet, 6 inches high. Only kids who can fit under Kaymer's arm can get into the area to ask players for autographs as they enter or leave the range during the practice-round days on Tuesday and Wednesday.

There also is a Kids' Corner autograph area near The Turn, the building used for scoring behind the 18th green.

This is one of the best ideas they've had at The Players since blowing up the old aniseptic clubhouse. The creation of the Kids' Corner is clearly designed to limit access to adults who show up with a bag of pin flags, 8 by 10 photos and golf balls, hoping they get the autograph of a player with enough star power to then flip the item on-line or at a memorabilia store.

News flash: nobody likes you people. You push and shove and are greedy in the number of autographs you try to get and in what you do with the items once you get them. Go away. You're the reason some players either don't sign autographs or do it on a limited basis.

Kids want an autograph for one reason: the thrill of that interaction with a Tour player, and memories. Those are more noble reasons than money.

[GeorgiaGolfer]

You do realize the Players is a tournament he doesn't traditionally do well in, right?

I saw all I needed to see only 2 years ago.

And what I saw at Augusta a few weeks ago looked pretty encouraging, too.

I think the doldrums are over. He'll go on a winning streak again, and soon. Sunday afternoon is as good a time as any.

[Gunther]

I'd love to see a #1 v #2 pairing on Sunday. Like em both, but guess I'd pull for the local boy.

[ChrisP]

I saw all I needed to see only 2 years ago.

And what I saw at Augusta a few weeks ago looked pretty encouraging, too.

I think the doldrums are over. He'll go on a winning streak again, and soon. Sunday afternoon is as good a time as any.

I hope he does well, too, but what I saw a few weeks ago was nothing close to what we saw from Tiger in 2013. He still has a lot of kinks to work out. He needs tournament reps. If he finishes Top-25, I'd consider it a good week. I'd be really surprised if he won, but like I said, I hope he does well. Rooting for Jordan or Rory, and if those two show up and bring their A-game Tiger would have no chance, but I do hope Tiger plays well as well.

[Crim]

Rory, Jordan and Jason grouped together. Starting early 10th hole (8:39).

Dammmmmmmmmmn! That's a group right there.

Rory doesn't have a good track record at Sawgrass.

Two top 10's the last two years though.

[ChrisP]

Two top 10's the last two years though.

True, but both were back door ones. Didn't really contend in either. One reason why is driving is such a premium at Sawgrass. Rory is like Tiger in that he tends to get wayward with the driver. We saw it a lot last week at Harding Park despite the win. Can't get away with that at Sawgrass with all the trees and water on that course.