Course: TPC Sawgrass. It is not a particularly long course, measuring only 7,200 yards, and the rough is not too troubling, but anything wayward will be lost on this course. The winners of this event have all been tacticians who were near the top of the list in greens in regulation.
Strength Of Field: A. Injuries are preventing this year's edition from being on par with the Players Championships of the past, but every player who is healthy, eligible, and didn't get married this week are at Sawgrass this week.
Extra Tidbits: Defending champion Tiger Woods will not be returning to defend his title as he remains sidelined after back surgery...43 balls landed in the water on the par 3 17th last year. The record is is whooping 93 in 2007, when high winds dunked 50 in the pond in the first round that year...The last 54 hole leader to win the Players Championship was Stephen Ames in 2006. None have happened since the tournament moved from March to May in 2007...Only three men have won the Players Championship while shooting four rounds in the 60's.
Fantasy Four:
Matt Kuchar - Four consecutive top 5 finishes, with the most recent being a victory at Harbor Town. Won this event in 2012. Precision golfer. This golf course perfect suits Kuchar's game.
Ryan Moore - Has cooled down lately, but is still 12th in the FedEx Cup standings. Fits the perfect bill of a Players Champion. Is accurate enough off the tee to give himself chances.
Zach Johnson - Feast or famine with Zach, who followed up two terrible weeks with a T14 at Quail Hollow. Was runner up to Kuchar two years ago. Has the accuracy off the tee and the short game to be a winner here, but his putting lately gives me caution.
Rory McIlroy - You can be encouraged by his consistency to bank top 10 checks, or discouraged by his inability to really be a part of the conversation on Sunday. I choose to former, as McIlroy continues to improve each week.
Last Weeks Team:
Phil Mickelson: T11
Jimmy Walker: CUT
Y.E. Yang: T23
Jim Furyk: 2
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