2012 Players Championship Predictions
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
What a finish to the Wells Fargo Championship last week. Rickie Fowler was able to hold off Rory McIlroy and D.A. Points in a three-way playoff with a spectacular shot on the very first extra hole. Fowler stuck a 51 degree four-feet from the pin, and went on to make just the fifth birdie all day on the 18th hole. It was Fowler’s first career win on the PGA Tour. As good as the golf was last week at Quail Hollow, it figures to be even better this week at the 2012 Players Championship. The tournament is held at the challenging Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.
While it isn’t one of the four Major tournaments, it definitely has the feel of one. This isn’t your ordinary non-major event where you get a handful of the top players in action. The field is absolutely littered with talent, very similar to what you would see at a Major. It just so happens to be played two weeks before the U.S. Open. For many players this will be their final competitive tune-up before the second Major of the season. Let’s be honest. What really draws everyone to this event, is the largest prize fund of any tournament (including the four Majors).
Last year it was K.J Choi defeated David Toms in a playoff. The playoff hole just so happens to be the famous No. 17 par 3. While this hole ranked the easiest of the four par 3s at TPC Sawgrass last year, it’s a hold where you can lose the tournament if you aren’t careful. The 17th green is completely surrounded by water, making it one of the most entertaining holes to watch of the entire season.
There’s no question that whoever wins this week is going to have to be hitting the ball extremely well, but that’s just part of what it takes to win this event. It really takes some great knowledge of the course to put together four solid rounds. Over the last seven years only Henrik Stenson has won this event in less than seven career starts. In 2009, Stenson won in just his fourth start.
For those of you looking to place a wager on who will win the Players Championship this year, here is a look at the three golfers I feel have the best chance at taking home that monster pay check.
Lee Westwood
This will be Westwood’s 10th appearance at TPC Sawgrass and I feel like this is the year that Westwood finally breaks through and wins this event. He has finished inside the top 10 on three occasions, including a share of fourth place back in 2010. Westwood is coming off a strong showing last week at Quail Hollow. He posted a 68 and 66 over the weekend on his way to a tie for fifth. The 17th hole shouldn’t give Westwood much trouble, he comes into the tournament ranked No. 1 in the world in greens in regulation.
Zach Johnson
While Johnson struggled last week at the Wells Fargo Championship, I was really impressed with how well he hit the ball in a second place finish at the RBC Heritage a few weeks back. Johnson definitely has the game to win this event. He has finished inside the Top 25 four times in seven career starts at TPC Sawgrass, including a respectable 12th place finish in 2011. The key for Johnson will be giving himself some birdie opportunities. He is just 117th in greens in regulation, but is 4th in putting and 9th in scrambling.
Hunter Mahan
Mahan remains the only player on with two wins on TOUR in 2012, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he won his third event this weekend. Mahan will be making his seventh appearance at this event, and is coming off his best performance at this event. He took a share of sixth place last year, just four shots off the lead. Mahan is hitting the ball even better than he was a year ago. He is 5th overall in greens hit in regulation and when he does miss the green, he is getting up and down better than he ever has in his career.
Looking for some expert advice on how to golf better this year? Take a look at these great putting tips that are sure to lower your score next time out.
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One Response to “2012 Players Championship Predictions”
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I like matt kuchar to win the players. Thank you.