The Players Championship Preview

The Players Championship is often referred to as the 5th major. 2018 is the last time the tournament will be played in May as it will move to March in 2019. The TPC Sawgrass Stadium course is a par 72 that measures out to 7,189 yards and has Bermuda greens. Si Woo Kim is the defending champion with a winning score of 10 under in 2017. This Pete Dye course has water in play on 17 of 18 holes leading to over 350 penalties taken last year. There will be over 200 hours of coverage this year on the Players Championship. Facebook will stream over 30 hours of live content on Facebook Watch including featured groups and certain holes. You can follow it all here https://www.facebook.com/PGATOURLIVE/.

Notable Holes To Watch:

Hole 12

Changes have been made since last year to make this a more drivable par 4. The landing area adjacent to water on the left side has been lifted and flattened to reduce chances of drives rolling into the water hazard. Additionally the rough is wider and the right side of the fairway has opened up. It is a fun risk reward hole to watch the players attack.

Hole 16

The hole pictured below is a great risk reward par 5. The last 3 holes at the Stadium Course is treacherous. 179 penalties were taken in the final 3 holes in 2017. A eagle is possible but one bad shot and you will be lucky to leave with a bogey.

Hole 17 

The island green is one of the most notable holes in all of golf. It is only 129 yards but just ask Sergio how hard it can be when the pressure is on.

Hole 18

Life doesn't get any easier after hole 17 especially if you have the lead or need a birdie on 18. The entire left side is covered with water off the tee. If you survive the last 3 holes, you definitely deserve the win.

Who To Watch:

Rickie Fowler

Fowler is a former champion here and a fan favorite. He will be paired with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson the 1st two days so there will be plenty of fireworks.

Luke List

It is only a matter of time before he wins on tour. He already has 9 Top 26 finishes this season. Luke List has proven that he is no longer just a long ball guy.

Justin Thomas

He is one of five golfers who can end up as the #1 ranked player in the world after this weekend. Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth and Justin Rose are the others. It will be interesting to see if he will keep using Rickie Fowler's putter. JT has finished no worse than 22nd this year in 11 starts.

Si Woo Kim 

Defending champions have not done well historically and even Si Woo Kim talked about it. Kim plays really well on Pete Dye courses so something has to give this week.