The Players at Sawgrass
My preview for The Players at TPC Sawgrass. It’s the first time in years that the defending champion is not in the field due to Cameron Smith joining LIV Tour. The iconic par three 17th at Sawgrass is one of the best par three’s in the world and this hole will have a big say in the outcome of 2023 edition. This week is a huge opportunity for one of the big players in the world to lay down a marker with it been less than a month to go to The Masters.
Rory McIlroy won The Players in 2019. McIlroy missed the cut in 2021 edition but shot a final round of six under to finish inside the top 35 in the rain delayed 2022 The Players. McIlroy finished tied second at the recent Arnold Palmer Invitational. McIlroy needs to show that he can continue his good form by a good performance at Sawgrass. He is going back to a place that he has won on before and this counts for a lot in the game of golf. My opinion is it would help McIlroy if he could win before The Masters and this weekend is a good opportunity for the Northern Irish man. My opinion is that McIlroy will win The Players at Sawgrass this weekend.
Jason Day won The Players in 2016. In 2018 Day finished tied fifth at Sawgrass. Day also finished tied eight at Sawgrass in 2019. The Australian has returned to form in 2023 as he finished fifth at Waste Management Phoenix Open, tied ninth at The Genesis Invitational and a tied 10th finish at Arnold Palmer Invitational. My opinion is that Day will continue his well needed return to form by finishing in the top five at The Players this weekend.
Keegan Bradley shot a final round of six under to finish second at 2023 Farmers Insurance Open. Bradley shot a final round of five under to finish tied 10th at the recent Arnold Palmer Invitational. Bradley had success in the past at Sawgrass as he finished fifth at 2022 The Players. 2022 was not the only good year for Bradley at Sawgrass as he finished tied seventh at 2018 The Players. My opinion is that Bradley will finish in the top five at The Players.
Rickie Fowler played the last three holes in four under at Sawgrass as he won the 2015 The Players in a play-off. Fowler decided to return to his former coach Butch Harmon for the 2022/2023 season. Fowler had a hole in one as he finished tied 10th at 2023 Waste Management Phoenix Open. Fowler shot a final round of four under to finish tied 20th at The Genesis Invitational. Fowler is currently 71st in the world golf rankings and will want to get back inside the top 50 for the big events throughout 2023. My opinion is that Fowler will continue his comeback by finishing in the top 10 at The Players.
Hideki Matsuyama knows how to win a big event as he won the 2021 Masters at Augusta. Matsuyama finished tied eight at 2019 The Players. Matsuyama is struggling for form and has only finished once inside the top 10 in 2023 which was a tied ninth finish at Farmers Insurance Open. This could be the week were Matsuyama kicks starts his year by finishing in the top ten.
Shane Lowry and Seamus Power are both in the field for this week’s The Players at Sawgrass. Lowry has great memories of this tournament as he had a hole in one at the 17th in 2022 edition. Both Lowry and Power need to play a lot better than their poor performances at the recent Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The Players is always a big event and I hope you enjoy the action over the weekend.