Damien Kayat has an in-depth look at the Player’s Championship which takes place at the Stadium Course between 14 – 17 March.
2019 US PGA Tour
The Player’s Championship
TPC Sawgrass- The Stadium Course, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
14th-17th March
Originally known as the Tournament Players Championship, the Player’s Championship is considered the unofficial 5th Major of the PGA campaign. The first edition was played in 1974, with Jack Nicklaus claiming his first of three titles. He is still the only man to complete a hat-trick of victories: Elkington, Sutton, Love, Woods and Couples have all won it twice. The venue moved permanently to TPC Sawgrass in 1982. The schedule reshuffle really shows its teeth this week, with this event moving from its May slot to a March renewal for the first time in over a decade. And are there many courses more iconic then this one?
The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass was specifically designed for this event in 1980. It hosted its first Players in 1982. The Pete Dye design is a classical course that is said to offer a balanced test of a golfer’s game. This is certainly not a bomber’s paradise, with accuracy and precision more outwardly beneficial than length. Bermuda specialists also tend to prosper in this typical Florida layout. Early expectations seemed to suggest that the move back to March may make the course play longer- and therefore easier. But those concerns haven’t seemed to materialize thus far.
Phil Mickelson said that the rough is minimal. Clearly navigating the tricky Bermuda greens will prove crucial. Scrambling stats have proved important in recent installments, while finding the greens in regulation will always prove a plus. Just to show the relative un-importance of length here, consider this. World Number One Dustin Johnson has yet to register a top 10 in ten visits. Rory McIlroy has never registered a top 5 in nine starts. Webb Simpson won last year ranked 71st for driving distance. He ranked 1st in the field for driving accuracy.
Tiger will be aiming to make it three titles this week after choosing to skip Arnold’s event last week. Three players will have the opportunity to usurp Dustin Johnson as World Number One. American duo Justin Thomas and Brooks Koepka will have the top spot in sight while Justin Rose leads the European charge. Francesco Molinari will be looking to build on that wonderful Bay Hill victory whilst former champions such as Jason Day and Sergio Garcia will be keen add to their Players mystique. Perhaps the iconic island 17th will once again prove decisive.
Past Winners
2018: Webb Simpson (-18)
2017: Si Woo Kim (-10)
2016: Jason Day (-15)
2015: Ricky Fowler (-7)*playoff
2014: Marten Kaymer (-13)
Betting Favourites (To Win)
Dustin Johnson (12/1)
Rory McIlroy (12/1)
Justin Thomas (16/1)
Rickie Fowler (20/1)
Justin Rose (20/1)
Value Bets
Gary Woodland- To Win (55/1), To Place (11/1)
Gary Woodland is playing some of the most consistent golf out there right now. He has 6 top 10’s in his first 10 events this season. That includes runner-up finishes at both the CJ Cup and Tournament of Champions. Just to further highlight his consistency- he is one of only two players inside the top 10 in the FedEx Cup race without a win to his name: Justin Thomas is the other. His stats also mesh well with Sawgrass. He currently sit 2nd overall in the GIR stats: those are always crucial in determining success around this course. He also sits 6th in shots gained tee to green. Woodland looks exceptional value at 55/1.
Henrik Stenson- To Win (55/1), To Place (11/1)
For this one we have to largely ignore recent form. The Swede has struggled with fitness and subsequent form issues. But the former Players Champion is built for this layout. He currently sits 3rd in the field for approach play. He doesn’t need to necessarily dominate off the tee here, though that trusty 3 wood of his will help on the some of the trickier driving holes. Aside from that victory here a decade ago, Stenson also possesses finishes of 3rd, 5th and 10th. This course puts a premium on accurate iron-play and an encouraging top 20 at Bay Hill should leave the Swede feeling emboldened.
The Man to Beat
Francesco Molinari- To Win (22/1), To Place (44/10)
You have to think that the Italian maestro has a real chance this week. He missed the cut here last season, which really precipitated the run of form that has seen him become perhaps the most consistent golfer in the world. He won the BMW PGA prior to a 2nd at the Italian Open. He would go on to win the Quicken Loans before a runner-up at the John Deere. He then claimed that majestic Open Championship prior to his utter heroics at the Ryder Cup. Molinari has added length to his game without forsaking his deadly accuracy. Molinari’s strengths play into this course. He had finishes of 6th, 7th and 6th prior to that missed cut last year.
