The Players Championship 2022 Overview
The most anticipated golf event of the year is upon us, The Players Championship. 48 out of the worlds top 50 players will be in attendance this week. The best field of 2022 and one of the most exciting venues to match. This is one event that every single player wants on their CV other that winning the FedEx or one of the 4 major championships, this is the one they all desire.
The event is so exciting for players and fans alike. All types of players can thrive here at TPC Sawgrass, this is demonstrated by the past winners, Webb Simpson, Rory, Si Woo Kim, Matt Kuchar, Adam Scott, Jason Day to name just a few. The course doesn’t favour one style of play over another. Precision, patience, power and touch is all required this week. If the wind blows like it’s predicted we could see a different type of test to last year.
The Stadium Course at Sawgrass is regarded as one of the most mentally demanding in the world. TPC Sawgrass has received numerous accolades, and the Pete Dye design challenges all players without favouring any one style of play as we have touched upon. The course was redesigned in 2017, and the putting surfaces are now made of pure TifEagle Bermudagrass. Water looms and becomes a hazard on no fewer than 12 holes, including the short signature hole and world famous island par 3 at the 17th, which is one of the most famous in the world. The final stretch concludes with three of the most difficult par 4 scoring holes at 14, 15, and 18 – which is always the most difficult with water lining the entire left side. How players navigate this difficult stretch will have a huge bearing on the outcome. Look for elite level ball strikers from T2G to prosper this week at TPC Sawgrass.
Other Pete Dye-designed courses to take into account in your player performance research are Harbour Town and TPC River Highlands.
I’m really excited about this week, and hopeful of a strong showing from my portfolio after what has been a disappointing 2 week stretch.
5 Key Skills Set Required
- SG T2G – A true T2G faces the players this week. To succeed at this event, you look at players who have shown their T2G is in good shape. Those struggling with the driver, iron play or short game will be found out on this demanding test. Players lifting this trophy above their head Sunday will have gained strokes over the field without any shadow of a doubt.
- SG Off The Tee – The rough here at TPC Sawgrass isn’t that penal, therefore players can be aggressive off the tee as long as they land in the first cut on the right side of the fairway. Accuracy is off course important, and many will champion that stat this week. For me, this is more about consistently gaining stroke off the tee.
- GIR gained – 6 of the last 9 winners have been the top 5 for GIR gained over the course of the week, which gives you an insight into the importance of hitting lots of green and taking pressure off your short game.
- SG approach 100-150 yards – With a winning score of 14under to 18under expected, players will have to make birdies when the opportunity presents itself. There are more shots from this range than the average PGA Tour event. They are taking advance with a wedge to 9 iron in hand with is crucial. Jon Rham, for example, the most consistent golfer on the planet, has quite alarming numbers from this distance, so don’t be afraid to look deeper down the board and home in on players who dominate from this distance.
- Bogey Avoidance – Winning scores in the mid teens under par, require a player to be patient and they attack when this time is right. On these Pete Dye layouts approach play can prove difficult meaning many missed green and battles for par. I want players onside who have shown then can minimise mistakes, keeping their rounds flowing in the right direction.
- SG Putting Bermudagrass – Having spent the majority of this year playing on the west coast, players now return to Florida swing, where the Bermudagrass greens are what face the players. Although the Florida course emphasises T2G and Iron play, it’s essential to consider those who excel on the Bermudagrass.
