In a lot of ways the Bay Hill Invitational produced more questions about players form than it answered. I mean the course was playing tough all week but a number of the world's best players threw in a large number into their scorecards then played respectfully to get back into the front page of the leader board.
Take Retief Goosen for example. A seventy eight in the first round had him contemplating withdrawing because he was hitting it so bad. But three rounds later and he is in fourth place and playing better than most. Ernie Els had three double bogeys on par fives over the week. That's right you heard correctly, double bogeys on par fives for a player that eats them for breakfast! Adam Scott would also have been in serious contention during the week if it was not for a nine, Darren Clarke also had a nine but finished in the top twenty. As a person who likes to have some money on my favourite players do you ignore the odd bad hole and place faith in their overall performances this year? I think you must especially with one of the tour's most demanding courses being used this week.
Finally a small footnote to the action last week must go to Paul Casey and Phil Mickelson. Casey broke through in China to capture his first individual title since the ' I hate American's' quote. I hope that it is the start of a return to form for this highly talented player. Also Phil Mickelson may not have played at Bay Hill Invitational but he was seen practising there during the weekend. I wonder what Arnold Palmer thought about that!
And so to this week.
I feel that it is worthy to concentrate on only one tournament this week as The Players Championship at Sawgrass will be the centre of attention every where around the world. Quite simply this tournament is known as the fifth major as it is respected above all other normal tournaments during the year. The prestige is backed up with a stellar field each year and is played over the same course since nineteen eighty two.
The TPC at Sawgrass always posses a huge challenge to the players. The course rewards accuracy from the tee and the fairway with greens surrounded by either water or penal bunkers or both. The rough is penal especially this year after above average rainfall and if the sun comes out this week then the greens will become very dry and quick. If it is dry this week then Sawgrass will represent a US Open style challenge.
Of course Sawgrass is known also for one hole in particular, the par three seventeenth. This island green has proved the undoing for a number of competitors over the years and when the wind gets up then it will destroy challenges again this year. Apart from the 12th hole at Augusta, the 17th hole at Sawgrass is the most feared par three in the world.
Top quality players usually win The Players Championship. Statistics from the past ten years back this claim up. For example nine out of the past ten winners were already a winner on the US PGA tour, a member of the Ryder or President Cup team and had won a Major or WGC golf tournament. This is a very potent set of statistics because it proves that only the very best players perform well around Sawgrass and recent form is crucial.
Another interesting feature about this tournament is that it is very difficult to win when coming from a long way behind the leaders. In fact if you fancy having a bet after the first or second rounds then do not look too far down the leader board to find your winner.
Selections:
Vijay Singh: do not look further than his statistics to date as he is ranked second in the All Round category, fifth in Scoring Average and seventh in Green in Regulation. If his putter was only half supportive over the past two weeks he would have destroyed both of those field instead of finishing second both times. A local of Sawgrass Vijah has exceptional knowledge of the course and I believe Vijah will win this week. I feel he is one of the best bets of the year!
Zach Johnson: the Nationwide star from 2003 Zach is rapidly becoming one of the exciting players on tour. His only weakness is the putter but with Sawgrass demanding solid ball striking I can see Zach being high on the leader board this week.
Retief Goosen: as I mentioned earlier in this article Retief shot a seventy eight in the first round of Bay Hill only to cruise through the field over the next three days and finish fourth. Although Retief does not have a great record around Sawgrass look for him to contend this week, as his game is about to boil over!
Padraig Harrington: a winner two weeks ago at the Honda Padraig is beginning to realise his enormous potential. With second places finishes in the last two years in this event Sawgrass is a course that sits comfortably with Padraig. Expect him to contend this week.
Others to mention: Davis Love, Jim Furyk, Robert Allenby and Steven Ames.
Until next week - May The Golfinggods Be With You!
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