The Players Championship

More silly scoring today, Sawgrass been found out a bit this week.  Would've set up nicely for a final day shoot out if it wasn't for one guy ruining everything.

Noren was a good price in his 2 ball against Garcia who is playing **** 6/4, Noren -6 today, Garcia +4, wish all 2 balls was as straightforward as that.

Tiger giving a good show when cant really win just to annoy me by making his price alot lower next time he plays! would rather he just gave in and tanked it. bah.

think tiger might win. he'll be the one to post a score in the clubhouse. just backed simpson enough times to know he's not to be trusted. i see water at the 17th in the future for him.

...6...

well i certainly wouldnt mind a Tiger win, but i dont think it can happen

Yeah, no matter what Tiger does he's not catching Danny Lee.

May well be 4 shots after 3 - he looks tight imo - may have to fall across the finish line

...5...

yep come on Danny boy

Danny would be a nice result for me as it stands so all good so far, just not sure how he'd react if he suddenly found himself within touching distance.

yeah its been a while since he has been around the lead, if he does get the lead it might be late enough he dosnt have time to think about it too much

think bogey for webb coming up

if danny lee wins he'll be the 19th asian to win on tour this season

(if we ignore the fact he's actually from new zealand. he looks asian anyway.)

this has got a tiger win written all over it. choker up there in the lead for the big man to pass. he used to do this sort of thing all the time in his prime, but it was so long ago people have forgotten what it was like.

ur back lewisham - missed the place eh what do you make of your boy Rickie lately?

Webb really all over the place

Hank Hill 13 May 18 20:32 Joined: 03 Jan 02 | Topic/replies: 9,007 | Blogger: Hank Hill's blog
ur back lewisham - missed the place eh Grin what do you make of your boy Rickie lately?

i was winning 18k if he won the masters- would have been biggest ever win. still won 4k on the event but annoying.

he clearly has outstanding credentials to win a major this year but still has to get over the mental hump. hopefully the way he finished off at the masters will be a big step to do that

btw tiger will win a major this year- i think carnoustie or pga.

the reason i left hank is i got annoyed by the amount of people who make insulting comments just because you happen to express an opinion. guess they have nothing better to do with their lives.

although i guess that's forums for you or the internet in general. i mean try youtube or twitter for example

Just ignore them or block them lewisham. Yeah, that is internet forums in general unfortunately. Still, I think golf on bf is still one of the few where it is mostly polite. Welcome back.

I heard chucky's stats yday and couldn't believe it - was something like 86 top 10s in his career and just the 2 wins-  I knew he had 2 wins but had no idea he had so many top 10s - shame he couldn't get more really as he is a player who has a nice style and seems a good guy. Lovely shot from Tiger.

thank you hank. btw very impressed with koepka this week also. something about him which suggests that he's going to be more than just a one-off major winner like louis or adam scott. just has that winning thing about him that tiger used to have (admittedly nothing like as good a player.)

Yep, great outing my Koepka after his recent injury. Agree that he should have another major in him, but it's so competitive for them-  for instance I rate Reed, but would never have had him as a Masters winner.

Well, that should settle the nerves!

Oh well.

I rate Reed, but would never have had him as a Masters winner.

there's at least twenty or thirty players now who have a great chance of winning a major which is why it's so difficult to pick a winner.

and that's before you even count the outsiders.

annoying that simpson is going to win this week. I'm normally on him but didn't see him as a players champion

If current scores hold up, DJs reign at number 1 is over.

therhino 13 May 18 21:19 Joined: 12 Jul 10 | Topic/replies: 16,317 | Blogger: therhino's blog
If current scores hold up, DJs reign at number 1 is over.

not sure what the whole world number one thing means anyway. surely golf is all about winning majors.

for supposedly such a dominant player dj has won one major at the age of 33, compare that to tiger who won 14 by the same age.

I honestly thought Woods was finished after all the surgeries but to see him playing to this standard is incredible ! I

I hadn't finished..
I hope he wins soon and if it is a major as LR suggests even better !!

he definitely will eugene.

i must admit when woods first came back here and started struggling (think it was the farmer's)

I prematurely wrote him off. but when you look at this he actually looks the best player! which in some ways says a lot about how good the current generation are that a 42 year old is showing them the way.

wish I'd backed him earlier. nearly did but thought he was too far behind at 11 shots

Webb has to be hoping he can get an even par in and it'll be enough-  as he is playing pretty poorly

Knew he was on the winning score when he started and doing just enough.  Ho hum.

The trouble with how conservative he has been is that a db could be lurking and then game on

One of my favourite Woods wins was at the Pebble Beach pro am when he came from 7 back with 8 to play ! A repeat of that today would be nice !

Do we think that the anchor putters have adapted enough to be back contending regularly now then? Obviously Webb has shown it this week, but Bradley doing well too.

woods could post 17 under

if he does and webb goes in water at 17....

think this method of putting should also be banned hank- seems to close to anchoring to me.

probably other dodgy putters like rory might turn to this method in future, although hurts them in sponsorship if they go away from classical putting more than it does a more run of the mill pro like webb.

hmm really not sure he is going to hang on here

Simpson will probably see it out but he has been totally unconvincing ! Just laid 1.13 and hoping for some interest

annoyed that simpson is messing up. woods is going to win and not got a penny on it

evens from here is all he has to do, and he should make 2 birdies so that leaves him able to make 2 bogeys so needs to only make 5 pars in 9 holes to win... or something like that

next two holes massive for webb. needs to go at least 1 under.

needs to shoot those two holes in at worst 1 under i mean.

this is a two horse race for me. can't see lee or day winning it.

Pretty much every hole from here in has an easy two shot swing in it so work to be done.

Dufner

Now it's everyone but Webb making mistakes.

white flags being raised all over

Hated that Lee shot have him and Dufner in the w/o

If someone can get to -17 and Webb doesn't move forward, he will feel it on 17 tee.

Seems to be a concrete ceiling at -14

How can they be leaving putts short in this situation.

All time classic market reshuffle in the w/o.

Outright market already seems to be factoring in two balls in the water on 17 for Webb

The outright market already seems to be factoring in 2 balls in the water on 17 for Webb

woods is pathetic! i take it all back

in all serious woods has done well. showing off the right signs. think he'll continue to improve from event to event.

on the negative side, both today and yesterday his worst part of the rounds were at the end. the same happened at bay hill too. wonder if it's a fatigue thing, as you get older it becomes more difficult to maintain your concentration late into rounds. the woods of 15 years ago wouldn't have made these mental mistakes.

Webb needs a Tiger at 17 Jordan at 18 finish

sore 18th for spiffy top 20 backers

Dufner you fk

Dufner you fk

I'm sick of this s&&^^%t....see you at the US Open (maybe)....Well Done Steve Palmer and his loyal fans.

GAME ON

i predicted 5 pars 2 bogeys and 2 birdies for back nine..almost1

Still fuming - Dufner b@stard 3 putt from 16 ft ffs cost me 30% of o/r position

Know how you feel, had Simpson in a 2 ball 1 shot ahead going to the last, and decides to lash it in the water

People cry through their pocket but that performance by Dufner on the back nine'beats Banagher'...He was  1/1 in the w/o market and managed to get himself out of the 3 places and me with a wad at 20's e/w...I'm jinxed this week at golf and taking a rest ...holiday money gone on that ........... Right upsides with Kim's performance at the Heritage..Well Done to all Winners and nobody died...When I'm 'doing the Duff' in a cheap B&B this Summer I'll think of that ****.I want him drug tested...and me as well for backing him.Good Night,Hank, you are not alone

speith top10 backers - suicide job

1st Webb Simpson $1,980,000.00

T2 Charl Schwartzel $821,333.34
T2 Xander Schauffele $821,333.33
T2 Jimmy Walker $821,333.33
T5 Jason Day $418,000.00

T5 Jason Dufner $418,000.00

T7 Keegan Bradley $331,375.00
T7 Tommy Fleetwood $331,375.00
T7 Danny Lee $331,375.00
T7 Harold Varner III $331,375.00

T11 Chesson Hadley $225,500.00
T11 Brooks Koepka $225,500.00
T11 Ian Poulter $225,500.00
T11 Adam Scott $225,500.00
T11 Justin Thomas $225,500.00
T11 Tiger Woods $225,500.00

T17 Rafa Cabrera Bello $148,866.67
T17 Charles Howell III $148,866.67
T17 Jamie Lovemark $148,866.67
T17 Alex Noren $148,866.67
T17 Dustin Johnson $148,866.66
T17 Matt Kuchar $148,866.66

T23 Scott Brown $92,714.29
T23 Ryan Palmer $92,714.29
T23 Justin Rose $92,714.29
T23 Steve Stricker $92,714.29
T23 Patrick Cantlay $92,714.28
T23 Henrik Stenson $92,714.28
T23 Richy Werenski $92,714.28

GET YOUR KIDS on THE PGA TOUR

Sunday’s finish at TPC Sawgrass was the last time the event will be played in May, and although PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said he didn’t expect the move back to March next year to alter that trajectory it will be a tough act to follow after a dozen successful years in May.
Since moving to May in 2007 The Players has been won by Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler, all dramatic victories on a grand stage.
In May, the course played hard and fast and the weather largely cooperated to raise the profile of the event to if not fifth major status than at the least to a bona fide mid-major.

I am actually unsure of who has made more comebacks.
The GOAT,TIGER.
Or Lewisham Ranger.?

For the record...

These are the total scores (Rd1+2+3+4) over the last 5 holes (14-18) at THE PLAYERS Champ for the top finishers:

W. Simpson -3 (winner finished -18)
J. Walker -4 (T2nd at -14)
C. Schwartzel -5 (T2nd at -14)
X. Schauffele -3 (T2nd at -14)
J. Dufner -1
J. Day -1
H. Varner III -3
T. Fleetwood -3
K. Bradley -5
D. Lee -4
B. Koepka -5 (with a quad on 17th in Rd2. and Albatross on 16th in Rd4.)
J. Thomas +1
T. Woods +5 (T11 finish at -11)

SAME SH1TE, DIFFERENT YEAR.....Only this time it's on in MARCH (not MAY)


https://twitter.com/THEPLAYERSChamp

Bob,
It's better to walk alone, than in a crowd going in the wrong direction Pharkheen Youzlesskharnt!

https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/47517416

The REAL Players Champion

Especially for you Rhino...

https://twitter.com/i/status/1104860012583751681

Aussie Ronnie

Gary Woodland wouldnt be a likely winner here,hes stats have improved and sits 4th in the fedex cup.maybe an ew shot.

$12.5 Million purse with $2.25 Million to the winner - the so called 5th MAJOR.

A field of 144 golfers in THE PLAYERS as it returns to March - moved to May for the 2007 edition, having been held in March from 1976 to 2006.


We’re on a PHIL, DAY & WOODS watch after recent problems as THE PLAYERS continues to wait for its first back-to-back winner, so forget Webb Simpson this week (just won’t happen).

54 water balls at the 137-yard #17 in 2018 on the Pete Dye designed TPC Sawgrass (Stadium), so will be fun to watch again this year !

FEATURED GROUPS
THURSDAY
Webb Simpson (38) – In addition to his 63, he set PLAYERS records for largest 36-hole (5 shots) and 54-hole (7 shots) leads last year.
Patrick Reed (52) – Due to the schedule change, he’s making his second PLAYERS start since winning the Masters last April.
Tiger Woods (105) – In his 17 opening rounds at TPC Sawgrass, just one was in the 60s  -- a 67 in 2013 when he won for the second time.
________________________________________
Rickie Fowler (6) – Had three rounds in the 60s when he won in 2015; every other round since 2013 has been in the 70s.
Brooks Koepka (8) – His last competitive round at TPC Sawgrass was a course-record tying 63 in Round 4 a year ago.
Jordan Spieth (180) – Tied for fourth in his first PLAYERS in 2014, then missed the cut in his next three starts.
________________________________________
FRIDAY
Matt Kuchar (2) –  Two top-10s in 14 career starts; of course, one of those was his win in 2012.
Phil Mickelson (9) – Won THE PLAYERS the first time it was held in May in 2007 but hasn’t had a top-10 finish since then.
Rory McIlroy (15) – Missed the cut in his first three PLAYERS starts, then had top-10 finishes in the next three.
________________________________________
Xander Schauffele (1) – FedExCup leader tied for second last year in his first PLAYERS start.
Justin Thomas (5) – Feast or famine on the weekend for the former FedExCup champion – four rounds of 68 or better, and three rounds of 75 or higher.
Justin Rose (11) – Reigning FedExCup champion. In 15 career starts at TPC Sawgrass, he has just one top-10 – a T4 in 2014.

IS IT REALLY 2019 already?
CM iyc

The weather is forecast to take a turn at The Players Championship over the weekend, threatening to add to the chill players feel stepping to the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course’s finishing holes. “I don’t think anybody is looking forward to playing the 17th and 18th straight into the wind,” Kevin Kisner said.

But that’s exactly what they’ll be doing at some point Saturday, if the forecasts hold up.
A cold front is expected to push through, bringing cool winds from exactly the opposite direction they blew Friday. Northerly winds possibly blowing to 18 mph are predicted when the cold front hits. The high temperature Saturday is forecast for the mid-60s. Tiger took 7 on 17th earlier

CUT
71 players at -2 or better atm

Hossler, Leishman, Schauffele, JB, Spieth, Stenson, Noren, Lowry, Cantlay, Hatton, Willett, Mickelson, Schwartzel, Zach, Casey & Aphibarnrat (Rafa DQ & Champ WD) - have the w/end off

It’s been a while since our last FLEETWOOD MAC concert, but can now look forward to the 13th June in Dublin, as well as the RUMOURS of Tommy and Rory in Sawgrass this weekend

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JDG2m5hN1vo

Go to the 3minute 2sec mark if you caught for time to pull you CHAIN

FLEETWOOD MAC in concert later today

Saturday/Sunday Weather with temperatures to drop on Saturday, set to fall further on Sunday, with a chance of rain too and importantly a switch in wind direction from South to North, making 17th and 18th play into the wind.....no 'onnybul$hite on 'ere

FLEETWOOD (67) – “Really good. Couldn’t have asked for much more. Felt really good from the get-go, felt like I had a really, really good range session so I was sort of really ready to play so it was just a case of doing the same things and doing the right things. It does help a lot that I was driving it very well, putting it in the fairway and giving myself iron shots.” - A 12-footer for birdie at 1, a holed bunker shot from 45 feet for eagle at 2 and a 25-footer for birdie at 3 and, in the blink of an eye, Fleetwood was two clear. Played the rest of his round in 1-under and has gained nearly 8 shots tee-to-green so far.

MAC (65) – “With the way the conditions are, you really need to take advantage of the par fives out there and, for the most part (4-under), I was able to do that today. Everything’s matching up. I think going to this Spider putter has helped me aim better (T7 in Putts Per GIR).” - Started with a bogey but was 8-under the rest of the way, holing from 9ft 4” for eagle at 16 and 21ft at 17. Has pelted 30 of 36 greens to this point (T1) and ranks second in Scrambling. That’s a useful combination and his numbers are strong across the board.

They’ll tee off at 6:40pm at TPC Sawgrass, at 12-under, three shots clear of the field.

4 PLAYERS are T3, with Poulter and Furyk going off in the penultimate pairing, at 6:30 pm.
Brian Harman and Abraham Ancer are also at 9 under.
Other featured pairings include:
• 3:00pm: Tiger Woods and Kevin NaNa
• 4:30pm: Sergio and Kuchar
• 5:10pm: Scott and Paddy Reedy
• 6:10pm: Day and Kevin Kismyassner

With the bad weather this weekend I feel it favours Fleetwood somewhat. Can't remember McIlroy having played well in bad weather before, particularly strong winds with his high ball flight. But then he is playing very well. Just feel his price a bit short at the moment.

LIVE BLOG

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/players-championship-live-blog-tiger-woods-gets-day-3-underway-at-tpc-sawgrass?utm_brand=gd&mbid=social_twitter&utm_source=twitter&utm_social-type=owned&utm_medium=social

Comment of the day about FLEETWOOD - “He looks like a homeless person who just robbed a Nike Store”

Get ready to rumble !

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YC2GmWjJBho

It’s Rocky RAMBO Balboa vs Fleetwood & Mac, as the bookies want a threesome on PADDY’s DAY

Traders button at the ready on 17

CONGRATs TO RORY

1.01 & "$2.25 Million to the winner" - RORY wins the "5th MAJOR".

Great show from Rory to guts it out from a strong and threatening field ...finished in style .
Thanks to Catch Me Ifyc -for deep stats.

Vub,
Guess you liked this oldie

Catch Me ifyoucan • May 9, 2018 10:12 PM BST
charwell. • May 11, 2017 1:31 AM BST
Love Sawgrass. A real shot makers course as proven by past winners like Day, Garcia, Duval, Scott, Fowler, Kaymer, Sutton etc.
Tommy Fleetwood is one of the world's best ball-strikers and he's getting familiar with American course setups. TPC Sawgrass should cater to his elite iron play.

Same $hi8e, different year

RORY's Press conference afterwards....talks alot about how 'COMFORTABLE' he his now with Life, Wife, Caddy, Coach, Manager - TEAM MAC.

https://www.pscp.tv/PGATOUR/1yoJMjZEXAjxQ

CM

Most runner-up finishes on TOUR since 1995:
Phil Mickelson 35
Jim Furyk 31 ...can't win 'em all Jimbo.
Tiger Woods 31 & Vijay Singh 25.


While Jonny 'Temper' RAHMBO shot 76 today, the other 17 players, since 2007, who held the 54-hole leaders/co-leaders at The Players

- NONE had a final round in the 60s, with a 75.0 scoring average and combined to par score of +51... SO IT WAS TO BE EXPECTED !

The largest 54-hole deficit overcome to win The Players at TPC Sawgrass is 5 shots, done twice and all but 1 of the 37 winners here were T-7 or better entering the final round.

https://thefriedegg.com/statistical-look-tpc-sawgrass/?utm_source=The+Fried+Egg+Golf+Newsletter&utm_campaign=20f2c589c5-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_03_13_07_06&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_28a08c87c2-20f2c589c5-150034637

More stats that provide us with strong evidence to ignore a golfer’s history at this event when handicapping The Players.

Win: Rory McIlroy, -16, $2,250,000

2: Jim Furyk, -15, $1,350,000

T-3: Eddie Pepperell, -14, $725,000
T-3: Jhonattan Vegas, -14, $725,000

T-5: Dustin Johnson, -13, $456,250
T-5: Brandt Snedeker, -13, $456,250
T-5: Tommy Fleetwood, -13, $456,250

T-8: Hideki Matsuyama, -12, $350,000
T-8: Justin Rose, -12, $350,000
T-8: Brian Harman, -12, $350,000
T-8: Jason Day, -12, $350,000

T-12: Adam Scott, -11, $253,125
T-12: Joel Dahmen, -11, $253,125
T-12: Abraham Ancer, -11, $253,125
T-12: Jon Rahm, -11, $253,125

https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1107726111813713920

Behind-the-scenes with Rory after winning THE PLAYERS

Rory McIlroy 8/1
Jon Rahm 14/1
Justin Thomas 16/1
Dustin Johnson 20/1
Tiger Woods 20
Brooks Koepka 22
25's bar
Adam Scott
Patrick Cantlay
Xander Schauffele
Bryson Dechambeau
Hideki Matsuyama
Justin Rose
Rickie Fowler
Webb Simpson
Jason Day
Patrick Reed
Sungjae Im
Tommy Fleetwood
Tony Finau
Collin Morikawa
Gary Woodland
Paul Casey
Henrik Stenson
Sergio Garcia
Shane Lowry
Viktor Hovland
Billy Horschel
Joaquin Niemann
Jordan Spieth
Louis Oosthuizen
Marc Leishman
Matt Kuchar
Matthew Wolff
Francesco Molinari
Ian Poulter
Kevin Kisner
Matt Wallace
Matthew Fitzpatrick
Phil Mickelson
Byeong Hun An
Daniel Berger
Danny Willett
Erik Van Rooyen
Lee Westwood
Scottie Scheffler
Tyrrell Hatton
Abraham Ancer
Bernd Wiesberger
Brandt Snedeker
Brendon Todd
Cameron Smith
Charles Howell
Chez Reavie
Kevin Na
Lucas Glover
Rafa Cabrera Bello
Victor Perez
Aaron Wise
Adam Hadwin
Brian Harman
Bubba Watson
Cameron Champ
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Corey Conners
Danny Lee
Graeme McDowell
Jason Kokrak
Jim Furyk
Keegan Bradley
Patrick Rodgers
Rory Sabbatini
Russell Knox
Si Woo Kim
Andrew Putnam
Branden Grace
Dylan Frittelli
Emiliano Grillo
Jazz Janewattananond
Keith Mitchell
Max Homa
Nick Taylor
Ryan Moore
J.T. Poston
Joel Dahmen
Kiradech Aphibarnrat
Luke List
Ryan Palmer
C.T. Pan
Cameron Tringale
Carlos Ortiz
Harold Varner III
J.B. Holmes
Jhonattan Vegas
Lanto Griffin
Mackenzie Hughes
Russell Henley
Sung Kang
Talor Gooch
Kevin Streelman
Kyoung Hoon Lee
Matt Jones
Pat Perez
Scott Piercy
Adam Schenk
Andrew Landry
Brian Gay
Bronson Burgoon
Bud Cauley
Charley Hoffman
Chesson Hadley
Jason Dufner
Jimmy Walker
Kevin Tway
Kyle Stanley
Martin Laird
Nick Watney
Sam Burns
Sebastian Munoz
Sepp Straka
Aaron Baddeley
Brian Stuard
Denny Mccarthy
J.J. Spaun
Michael Thompson
Nate Lashley
Scott Brown
Troy Merritt
Vaughn Taylor
Wyndham Clark
Zach Johnson
Adam Long
Brice Garnett
Chris Stroud
Jim Herman
Kelly Kraft
Matt Every
Patton Kizzire
Peter Malnati
Retief Goosen
Roger Sloan
Ryan Armour
Sam Ryder
Scott Stallings
Shugo Imahira
Tyler Duncan

Since 2000 the average strenght of Field (SOF) for the 5 biggest events.
1) PGA- 888
2) OPEN- 844
3) US Open -825
4) Players- 817
5) Masters- 801