Not buying Players Championship as golf’s 5th major
The Players Championship is the PGA Tour’s showcase event.
It’s also referred to by some as golf’s fifth major, a distinction I continue to not buy.
This championship, which will move back to its original March position on the PGA Tour schedule in 2919, annually draws the best field of the year. Part of that is the mega winner’s check ($1.8 million), the jacked-up FedEx Cup points and the prestige of having that victory on a player’s resume.
Combine all of that with the quirkiness of the Pete Dye-designed TPC at Sawgrass’ Stadium Course and you have an event that rarely fails to provide some of the most unusual excitement annually on the tour.
Friday was no different.
I was fortunate to cover several Players Championships and have watched many more on television and I can tell you I’ve never seen a round with more dramatic chip-ins and long putts drained as I did in the second round.
The round turned in by Webb Simpson epitomized just how nutsy the day was, Simpson won the U.S. Open in 2012, but hasn’t won since and had been basically a non-factor for much of the time since. But on Friday, Simpson played like he was the best player in the world. Nine birdies and an eagle, two chip-ins and putts of 22 and 28 feet for birdies highlighted his day.
He came to the island green 17th hole, needing a pair of birdies to hit the magic 59. But he blocked his tee shot into the drink and had to settle for a course-record 63. But he was just one of the guys who sparkled.
It seemed like there were chip-ins happening all over the course and roars of appreciation could be heard from everywhere.
As we all know, the players on the PGA Tour are pretty good and the fact that a bunch of chips-in take place is normal. These guys are good, ya know!
But the volume of great shots Friday just emphasizes the quality what these guys can do when the conditions are right.
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So, I’m beginning to detect a pattern here.
Tiger Woods makes the cut either on the number or just inside the cut line. He played average or mediocre golf to accomplish that and comes out Saturday plays like the Tiger of a dozen years ago, posting a number that puts him on the verge of contention and stirs has rabid fans into a froth.
Chances are good he’ll go out today and shoot something less than sparkling and finish somewhere close to the top 20.
The question in my mind is this: Have we seen enough of Woods’ comeback to make the judgement that this might be the best it’s going to get for the 14-time major championship winner?
It’s certainly a possibility in my mind. The man is 42, he’s had four back procedures, he’s had a spinal fusion and maybe he just doesn’t have enough left to get to the next level. I think winning another major is out of the question, but maybe he’ll be able to grab another tour event.
Time will tell, but the clock is ticking on Woods and his chance to stay regularly competitive on the PGA Tour.
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When Oakmont’s Sean Knapp won the U.S. Senior Amateur in his first crack a national senior amateur event, the rest of the golfing world found out that the 55-year-old is not to be messed with in match play.
And if anybody missed that, Knapp reinforced the point when he won the 12th Pennsylvania Senior Match Play at LedgeRock Golf Club in Mohnton, Pennsylvania. He knocked off Ed Podufal of the Kahkwa Club, 2&1 in the finals and overcame a member at LedgeRock, Scott Mayne, 2-up, in the semifinals.
The man is on a roll and if he can stay on it, Knapp could have a very fun and successful summer.
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Do you have an interesting story about your club or course or an individual who has done something special, let me know? Send your story ideas to mike.dudurich@gmail.com.
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Mike Dudurich is a freelance golf writer and hosts The Golf Show on 93.7 The Fan, Saturday mornings from 7-8 during golf season. Follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeDudurich.