The PLAYERS Championship: Expert Picks

Tournament Information

The PLAYERS Championship
Date: March 12^th – 15^th
Course: TPC Sawgrass
Purse: $15MM ($2.7MM to winner)
FedEx points: 600 to winner
OWGR points: 80
2019 Winner: Rory McIlroy (-16)

Course

TPC Sawgrass – Stadium Course. Built in 1980 by Pete and Alice Dye it stands as one of the more difficult course in the United States. Sitting at 7,190 yards, this par 72 course is a ‘jack of all trades’ course forcing players to use the entirety of their swiss army knife to pass its illustrious tests. Notorious hole 17 will stand out in infamy to most as the green stands alone surrounded by water. The great joy of this course is watching the players lean after their shot on 17 trying to use their mental capacity to direct the ball mid-flight.

Photo by Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR

My Starting 4

Webb Simpson (2nd selection this year) — One of the best track records at TPC Sawgrass over the last three years, Webb has top 20 finishes including a win in 2018. His recent track record is considerably up and down with a win at Waste Management Phoenix Open and a 61st place at WGC Mexico Championship.

Adam Scott (1st selection this year) — The best three year history here with top 12 finishes each time at the PLAYERS Championship. His recent track record is equally as mixed as Webbs with a win at Genesis Invitational and an 85th place finish at the Arnold Palmer invitational.

Dustin Johnson (2nd selection this year) — Last three years at TPC Sawgrass: 12th, 17th and 5th. His last month has been decent with a 10th place at Genesis Invitational, 32nd at AT&T Pebble Beach and 48th at WGC Mexico Championship.

Xander Schauffele (2nd selection this year) — All top 25 placements in February and March meets a golfer who was 2nd here in 2018 (and 84th here last year). I think he could be a solid top 25 pick.

My Bench 2

Jason Day (2nd selection this year) — This is a risky selection. I am willing to overlook two bad spots with Jason Day. The first is his 60th place here two years ago, he rebounded with a 5th place two years ago and 8th place last year. Second, I’m more concerned with the 120th at Arnold Palmer Invitational after withdrawing with a back injury. He had a solid finish at February and after his last five missed cuts he rebounded with 16th place, 52nd, 40th, 21st and 24th. Put him on your bench incase he shines.

Abraham Ancer (1st selection this year) — He was ok in February and March with an average finish of 37th but it’s here where he was 12th last year that I’m bullish. I stand by Ancer as an up and coming dominant golfer in each major tournament in the next few years.

Fun Fact: Since this event started in 1974, no player has won in back to back years.

2020 Stats:

Starting 4: Avg finish 45th (33^rd percentile)
Bench 2: Avg finish 58th (44^th percentile)