PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — The Players Championship in many ways has become as much as about the fans, just not lately.
The PGA Tour’s showcase event will once again pair one of golf’s best fields and spectating experiences this week at the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course.
Designer Pete Dye created large, sloping mounds to give onlookers unobstructed views of the action. Over the years, fans have witnessed final-round flourishes, fantastic finishes and plenty of heartbreak.
Yet in 2021, the hillsides at the iconic 17th hole island green — normally packed with people sitting shoulder to shoulder — were sparse with spectators, many wearing masks. The COVID-19 shutdown in sports canceled the 2020 Players after just 18 holes.
The 40th Players staged at Pete Dye’s distinguishable design will once again feature tens of thousands of fans spread across the property.
Yet many patrons and players could be seeking cover.
Last week, the hot and dry conditions produced a fast, firm and treacherous test at Orlando’s Bay Hill Club and Lodge. At TPC Sawgrass, golfers could face a rain-soaked slough during another unpredictable late winter in northeast Florida — one of the risk-reward calculations of moving the tournament from May back to March.
“You run into this potential of the weather that it looks like we might have this week, but hopefully we’ll get lucky,” defending champion Justin Thomas said. “Although it’s just two months apart, it does feel like two totally different golf courses.”
Forecasts predict at least a 90% chance of rain Thursday, Friday and early Saturday as a cold front arrives. A crisp, breezy Sunday could create similar conditions to the final-round at Bay Hill, where two of 78 players broke 70 and Scottie Scheffler’s winning total was just 5-under-par.
Thomas said he’s heard “horror stories” from two-time Players champions Tiger Woods and Fred Couples. Blustery conditions can force a player to club up to a 6-iron or even a 5 at the 135-ish yard 17th.
“When you get wind and cold temperatures like that, it’s just a different animal,” Thomas said. “It’s really just a survival-type thing.”
During favorable conditions, Thomas dismantled TPC Sawgrass last March, going 12-under during the weekend for a 1-shot victory over Lee Westwood.
Thomas now aims to become the first repeat winner in tournament history. In fact, since 2004 winner Adam Scott tied for eighth in 2005, no defending champion has finished in the top 10.
“It’s just really hard to win a golf tournament when you have most of the top 100 players in the world,” Thomas said.
Thomas nevertheless is enjoying the spoils of victory. Upon his arrival, the 28-year-old got turned around on his way to the locker rooms. He made his customary right turn until realizing to the left is the small locker area reserved for champions.
“A nice adjustment that I’ll be able to make going forward,” Thomas quipped.
Another change was the Tour’s decision to turbocharge the richest purse on Tour to $20 million — an increase of $5 million. The winner will take home $3.6 million, or $2 million more than the entire purse at this week’s Honda LPGA Thailand tournament.
A lucrative new TV deal is the impetus. The windfall also fostered the Player Impact Program, a competition rewarding players on their ability to engage fans.
This week, though, three of the top-five finishers in the PIP will not compete at TPC Sawgrass — winner Tiger Woods, runner-up Phil Mickelson and fifth-place finisher Bryson DeChambeau. Woods is recovering from a life-threatening car accident in February 2021 while DeChambeau continues to struggle with a left hand injury.
Meanwhile, Mickelson is trying his heal his reputation after his involvement with a proposed Saudi Golf League.
“The PGA Tour is moving on,” commissioner Jay Monahan said Tuesday. “We have too much momentum and too much to accomplish.”
Another noticeable absence this week is 2015 winner and fan favorite Rickie Fowler, whose struggles with this game have dropped him to No. 122 in the world and outside the field.
Those who will tee it up will be pursuing a handful of players, led by world No. 1 Jon Rahm. He was the 54-hole leader in 2019 until a 4-under 76 during the final round opened the door for Rory McIlroy’s victory.
Rahm has not been at his best in 2022 but also has not finished worse than T21. The 2021 U.S. Open champion could lose his top ranking if Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay or Viktor Hovland win.
Rahm is looking ahead, pushing to become one of the game’s greats. A Players title would be another step.
“Even if you’re No. 1, you’ve still got to perform every week,” he said. “I’m chasing people myself, so I don’t feel like I’m being chased.”
