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The planet is in a state of flux and the world of golf is not immune. Whilst the European Tour has been hit by Coronavirus cancellations, the PGA Tour has remained impervious (thus far at least), but as the circus arrives at TPC Sawgrass for THE PLAYERS Championship, the tournament the PGA tour calls the “fifth major”, there is talk that the PGA Championship maybe moved to this very venue in May, which is slightly quirky, if not quite ironic. From 2007 until 2018 THE PLAYERS was played to May, a change designed to give the course a greater opportunity to be in perfect condition. However, transformations to the grass on the greens, introducing a more hardy strain of Bermuda, allowed the event to return to its March date and therefore accommodate another date change – allowing the PGA Championship to be played in May. The course is set-up as a par-72 at 7,189-yards and those greens have Bermuda which is overseeded with rye. Did the return to early spring have much impact on playing conditions? Missing the fairways didn’t seem to be such a problem because whilst the field was hitting more or less the same number of greens from the fairways, they were hitting 53% of greens from the rough against 45%. The cause? Most likely the grass hadn’t thickened out. What did the golfers themselves think of the effect of the date change? “It played incredibly long today,” said Adam Scott after his first practice round. Webb Simpson referenced that the course was slower, not the firm and fast layout he dominated in 2018. It was something Tiger Woods backed up: “The ball doesn’t fly as far and the course plays slower, it was shorter in May. We’re hitting more club off the tee, a little bit longer club into the greens, but the difference is the greens are slower and much more receptive.” “I think it’s more target golf,” said Justin Rose. “And that’s how this golf course was designed. If you hit the targets, you’ll get rewarded.” All of that said, Jim Furyk was second and Eddie Pepperell third, the pair hitting the ball just over 270-yards from the tee.
Angles to consider 1/ Form Eight of the last nine winners at TPC Sawgrass had a top 20 finish in his previous two outings. 2/ Florida form Eight of the last nine winners had also finished top three in Florida in the past. 3/ Dye form Designer Pete Dye had a distinct style. Some players love it, others less so. Sawgrass winners Webb Simpson, Matt Kuchar, Si-Woo Kim, Davis Love and Justin Leonard have all enjoyed Harbour Town. Jason Day, Martin Kaymer, Vijay Singh and Fred Funk have all won at Whistling Straits and Sawgrass. Rory McIlroy was a winner at Kiawah Island ahead of his success last year. 4/ SG Tee to Green Three of the last four winners ranked top three for this category (and last year, when the event moved back to March, five of the top seven ranked seventh or better).
Selections The above angles have been used to create a shortlist from which the following players are selected. Patrick Cantlay The 27-year-old Californian has a superb record at Harbour Town (twice third, once seventh), he’s been second in Florida at the Valspar Championship, he finished top 20 in his last two starts (he also avoided the gruelling tests at PGA National and Bay Hill) and he ranks sixth for SG tee to Green. This will be his fourth tournament appearance and whilst he’s yet to contend he has been steady (twice finishing in the 20s) which is similar to many past winners. Xander Schauffele Closed with two 66s for 14th in the Mexico Championship and then managed a neat 24th at Bay Hill, playing well without screwing his brains. He was second here on debut in 2018, has the length to negotiate any requirement in that direction, and is ninth for SG Tee to Green. Webb Simpson The extra length is of some concern, but he was 16th on defence and if Jim Furyk can contend so can he. Five of his last seven starts in Florida are top tens, he likes Harbour Town, was brilliant when winning here by four in 2018 and when he won the Phoenix Open on his penultimate start he did so on greens like these – overseeded Bermuda.
Tips: 1pt e.w. Patrick Cantlay at 28/1 (Betfred 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7) 1pt e.w. Xander Schauffele at 30/1 (Betfred 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7) 1pt e.w. Webb Simpson at 30/1 (Betfred, 888Sport, Unibet 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7)
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