SA Footy

Well it's not long now until the unofficial 5th major of the years - The Players Championship. The event runs from May 12-15.

TPG Sawgrass hosts this event every year since its inception in 1974. The Par 72 layout in Florida, is well known for its dramatic par 3 17th. Measuring just 132 yards, it claims victims every year, with its island green.

The Players Championship has been a happy hunting ground for overseas pros (read non Americans) including Aussie wins to Adam Scott (2004), Steve Elkington (1997 & 1991) and Greg Norman (1994).

Rickie Fowler goes in as defending champion. Can't find any odds up as yet, but no doubt it will be the regulars who will be featuring - Spieth, Day, Fowler who won this week, Mickelson etc. Not sure if Tiger will tee it up.

The 5th major has thrown up some great winners, and legends of the game - Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Raymond Floyd and Fred Couples. It can also throw up some complete unknowns - Kiwi Craig Perks (2002) and the interestingly named Jodie Mudd (1990).

When I see some odd floating about the place will pop them up. A great TV event, especially that 17th hole down the stretch on Sunday.

Last year's tourney was a cracker

This weeks field at the Players Championship will contain all players currently ranked in the worlds top 20 golfers.

Early odds

Spieth 9.00
McIlroy 9.00
Day 10.00
Fowler 16.00
Johnson, Scott, Rose 20.00
Willet, Watson 30.00
Mickelson 35.00

TV coverage is foxtel only, beginning Fri am Australian time.

Australian Jason Day has shot e record equalling 9 under par 63 on the opening days play at the Players Championship. Will post a more detailed review at the close of play, but that's a great start!

Missed 3 of the last 5 cuts there I think? Great start!

TPC Sawgrass may be one of the most visually-intimidating courses on TOUR, what with all those pot bunkers and water hazards, but soft greens can take the sting out of any layout.

The field took advantage of such conditions in a record-setting first round of THE PLAYERS Championship.

Jason Day tied the course record with a 63. Shane Lowry shot the first back-nine 29 in tournament history. The morning wave played to a 70.05 scoring average, the kind of statistic that can make Pete Dye sick.

Warm weather, nary a whisper of wind and dry fairways also worked in players’ favor Thursday, allowing their tee shots to travel farther and leave them short approach shots to receptive greens. The rough is lower than normal this week, too. That can be dangerous on a firm, fast layout, where low-spinning shots will bounce off concrete greens, but it isn’t a worry when the greens are soft.

Justin Rose first realized low scores would be available when he saw the first-round hole locations Wednesday night. Thursday’s calm conditions allowed his prediction to come true.

“I already felt last night it was going to be there for the taking,” he said. “Then when we got here this morning, it was a beautiful, calm morning and I knew the greens were going to be still somewhat soft. If there was a day to get the course, today was it.”

His 7-under 65 was his lowest score, and just his seventh in the 60s, in 37 rounds at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course. He hit all 18 greens in regulation Thursday.

Round One Leaderboard:

Day -9
Trindale -7
Lowry -7
Rose -7
Haas -7
Steele -7
Molinari -6
Swafford -6
Els -6
Berger -6
Koepka -6
Weekly -6

Aussies
Baddely -3
Leishman -2
Scott +1
Senden +3

Notables
Z. Johnson -5
Kaymer -4
Watson (Bubba) -3
Willett -2
Mickelson -2
D. Johnson -2
Spieth Ev
Fowler Ev
McIlroy Ev

Giggle of the day, Bubba Watson wearing a camouflage Ping sun visor.... errr, Bubba - we can still see you!

Latest odds

Day 3.00
Rose 8.00
Matsuyama 17.00
Haas 21.00
Z Johnson 21.00
Lowry 23.00
Berger 29.00
McIlroy 31.00
Spieth 41.00

And if you still like their chances...

Fowler 67.00
Mickelson 151.00
Scott 201.00

Painful to watch:

https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/730915335960829953

^ Kind of pleased I missed that hole. I saw Scott putt for birdie (and just miss) on 17. Then had to bail to get daughter to school. I guessed something had happened, didn't realise it was that bad...

When Scott does bad, he does it in good style

mighty_tiger_79 wrote:When Scott does bad, he does it in good style

Chocker

For anyone up and about early, Jason Day has just begun his round 6.40am Adelaide time. It's on live on foxtel 503.....

^ correction... Looks like there has been a weather delay and I've just watched an hour of replays...FFS!

Oops
I was watching the highlights getting ready for work.
I've just arrived and opened up to this page and realised I was gonna mention the weather delay...

Jason Day is playing some serious golf. Anyone see his second shot on the 13th. Unreal.

carey wrote:Jason Day is playing some serious golf. Anyone see his second shot on the 13th. Unreal.

No didn't see it Carey... Hoping there is some highlights tonight while I flick between footy games. Hope to post a review of day 2 play a bit later. But right now I have some beers that need drinking following my golf, or should that be, attempted golf today... Later boys... Duty calls!

Got on mcIlroy at 9s at the start. Gave up after 1st round. Now i wish I followed up on the 31s.

Jason Day misses his Eagle putt on 16, however his birdie putt funds the bottom of the hole to extend his lead to 4 shots with 2 holes left to play in the third round. Wire to wire looking likely.

helicopterking wrote:Got on mcIlroy at 9s at the start. Gave up after 1st round. Now i wish I followed up on the 31s.

Glad I didn't now.
Day looking good, but some blokes are having a nightmare with some holes and getting 7/8/9s. He avoids one of them, he wins.

Saw one bloke take a 9 on the 17th this morning, put 3 balls in the drink...ouch!