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Swanson: Proposing a bifurcation of rules for Tiger Woods at the U.S. Open

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Warning: Swanson, the author of this story, does not exist… except in his writing. His character is completely imagined, but that doesn’t mean his opinions aren’t real. 

So, Tiger Woods registered for the 2016 U.S. Open. I’m not sure how that’s allowed; he definitely has a handicap that’s higher than the USGA’s 1.4 max for entry, but regardless he might play. I know it’s literally impossible, but if Tiger Woods were to win the 2016 U.S. Open, the golf media, fanboys, TV networks and the collective free world would wet their tiger-printed under garments. Elation of the highest degree.

And I, for one, would be devastated.

It makes me physically sick to my stomach to even think about watching Tiger play golf at Oakmont. You know the cameras will be on him every step, swing and spit, no matter how poorly he’s performing. They’ll probably have a Konica Minolta slo-mo video breakdown of him opening the Port-A-John door.

“Look at the way he grasps the Loo handle there, Johnny. Just not quite the grip strength we saw back in 2000.”

I mean, get over him already. He hasn’t been good at golf since he switched to a graphite shaft in his driver. And while I’m no Butch Harmon, I say he should go back to that steel shaft. Could he really drive it any worse? And ditch the 5-wood, too. I knew he’d pull a David Duval in the world rankings once I saw him hitting a 5-wood instead of a 2-iron. Stingers equal trophies.

The faster Tiger gets another major win, the faster we can move on from him, which is all I really want. Golf doesn’t need him. Just look at all the first-time, no-name winners we’ve had on Tour this year; it’s absolutely riveting. And you know Tiger will proverbially mic drop if he wins at Oakmont and swim off into his Navy Seal dream strapped in combat boots. So all I need is one more major victory and the Tiger nightmare is over. Therefore, I’m proposing the USGA stacks the deck to make it remotely attainable for Tiger to win the U.S. Open this year.

Here are 9 different rule-and-format changes that could allow Tiger to win his precious 15th major, and get him out of my face once and for all.

Validation

Whoever the leader is after 72-holes of the U.S. Open needs to “validate” their win by playing against Tiger on Monday in an 18-hole match play event. It’s winner-take-all; whoever wins on Monday wins the U.S. Open.

This way, Tiger only needs to beat one player and only has to play one round. Plus, my barber comes on Mondays, so I wouldn’t even feel obligated to watch.

The Sammy Sosa treatment

Remember when Sammy Sosa got caught using a corked bat? Well, I say we let Tiger play illegal golf clubs and balls that are juiced for more distance, more spin and more control. He can play the best equipment Nike can design.

Handicapped

You know the golfer who takes the USGA handicap system too seriously? The one who picks up his ball if he’s making more than a double bogey because, “My handicap doesn’t allow me to record more than a double,” he says. Then he ends up beating you, even though he picked up his ball on half the holes. Same concept here.

Tiger would be allowed to pick up his ball after he takes a maximum of 5 strokes on any hole. Surely he’d be able to at least make the cut.

Who wants to be… Tiger Woods?

Just like on Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Tiger would be allowed to use three lifelines per round. Here are the lifelines I propose:

  • Phone Johnny Miller for a read on the greens (did you know he once shot 63 at Oakmont? If you’ve ever watched a Johnny Miller telecast, then the answer is “yes”).
  • Consult Brandel Chamblee and/or Frank Nobilo on his swing technique. As we’ve learned on Golf Channel, they know more about Tiger’s swing than he does.
  • Poll the audience for a rules interpretation. Tiger has struggled with drops, oscillating golf balls and generally being cavalier with the rules, so this may save him some strokes in the end.

Teamwork

Tiger gets to choose a partner and play “best ball” during the entire event, but he has to pick from the following players:

  • Stephen Ames
  • Rory Sabbatini
  • Jesper Parnevik
  • Vijay Singh

Choose carefully, Tiger!

Tiger Par

Let him play against a “Tiger Par” like his father used to allow. Oakmont has a 77.5 course rating from the championship tees, but let’s round up to 80. That should be enough strokes to get the job done, right?

Scrambled eggs

Just like at your local golf outing, Tiger would be allowed to purchase as many mulligans and breakfast balls as he wants. They’ll cost $1 million each, and the money will be donated to the charity of the USGA’s choice. It’s a win-win!

Drive, chip and putt

In a contest held by the USGA, there would be a drive, chip and putt competition open to all golfers. The winner from each category would then play in place of Tiger during those respective shots. This means Tiger only needs to hit iron shots throughout the round, which is one of the only two things he was ever good at anyway — the other one was being a professional golfer during a time when there was no competition. And he was really, really good at that second one.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour

You know how in the Tiger Woods PGA Tour video game you can control the spin of the golf ball while it’s still in the air? The USGA should team up with NASA to engineer a golf ball that allows Tiger to control the spin after he hits it, just like in his video game.

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Swanson doesn't exist, except in his writing. He doesn't play for score any more, as he's too busy working on his spin rates. For tournament purposes, he has a 2 handicap on file from high school golf, registered at his home club, which is only reachable by private watercraft.

137 Comments

137 Comments

  1. Earll

    Jun 17, 2016 at 9:53 am

    Leave my little boy alone.

    What difference does it make if he cheated on his wife so many times? HE’S TIGER WOODS!, so it’s ok.

    What difference does it make if he cheats on the golf course? HE’S TIGER WODS! So, it’s ok!

    What difference does it make that he swears in front of little kids all the time? HE’S TIGER WOODS!! So, it’s ok!

    What difference does it make that he spits all over the golf course? HE’S TIGER WOODS!!! So, it’s ok!

  2. Joe

    May 27, 2016 at 1:55 pm

    I was hoping this article would not resurface.

  3. sss

    May 25, 2016 at 10:55 pm

    w e a k…

  4. ComeOnSense

    May 11, 2016 at 10:19 pm

    Sad that you have to write trash in order to get “hits”online,,this is how low a write or website can go .But I blame mostly WRXGOLF and the Advertisers for promoting this kind of s..t and anger toward Society. Where’s your morality and responsibilities to Society?

    • RAT

      May 24, 2016 at 9:30 am

      I agree, ran out of material , this is a filler for the page Don’t waste my time with this kind junk.

  5. SPANKY

    May 10, 2016 at 2:29 pm

    what a bunch of loosers, especially tiger

  6. COGolfer

    May 8, 2016 at 12:15 am

    Who know WRX was in the business of trolling.

  7. Mat

    May 7, 2016 at 4:06 pm

    Whoever Swanson is, I hope I never meet them in real life. I could hurl insults, but not one of them is worth it. Literally*.

    *Not literally, but that’s about as far as I read. You make my head figuratively explode.

  8. mlecuni

    May 7, 2016 at 3:12 pm

    This website deserves better

  9. F

    May 7, 2016 at 4:02 am

    No loophole, little girl, you have no idea what you’re talking about. Stop hassling the good people

    • Ps

      May 7, 2016 at 6:42 pm

      No nerves needed unlike you who is just a scared nervous lonely girl

    • Bill Mac

      May 9, 2016 at 12:30 am

      Done it again. Go Smizzle.

  10. The Real Swanson

    May 7, 2016 at 1:31 am

    The number of spelling and grammar mistakes in the comments is what concerns me the most.

  11. Johny Thunder

    May 6, 2016 at 11:58 pm

    Dear Swanson,

    whether your writing is especially good or not, you are grossly overestimating your audience in thinking they will understand satire. Perhaps you are from a more educated country than the US; most people here didn’t “get” Monty Python either. And a heck of a lot of people don’t get that The Colbert Report was a (largely) satirical show and character. Watch the televised pro-am tournaments some time and see what passes for humor in the larger golf world; comedians who were likely too old for vaudeville telling knock-knock jokes (and only that because their racist and sexist jokes only play at the country club). A cursory look at the comments will tell you – this stuff goes over most heads like an Airbus.

    • J

      May 7, 2016 at 8:31 pm

      It’s a best a poor attempt at satire. To mention this article in the same breath as Monthy Python and Colbert is an offense to both.

  12. BuzzFeedCEO

    May 6, 2016 at 11:18 pm

    Swanson stop stealing our business model of making s***ty lists that lack any creativity or critical reasoning. Our lawyers will be in touch.

    -Jonah, CEO of Buzzfeed

    Taylormade R15 Driver XX Stiff elements Chrome
    Taylormade Aeroburner 3W 5W
    Taylormade Burner (4-PW)
    Taylormade ATV Wedges
    Taylormade OS Spider Putter

  13. JG

    May 6, 2016 at 10:51 pm

    I couldn’t even get through the whole article. Not funny. Not true. Just mad. SMH.

  14. Chuck D

    May 6, 2016 at 9:17 pm

    If anything, the ghost writer achieved his/her goal by having it read a jillion times! Look at the responses.

  15. Chris

    May 6, 2016 at 8:27 pm

    …and you wonder why WRX’s forums is nothing but people attacking each other. Your articles like this only promote the negativity that goes on

    • F

      May 7, 2016 at 4:01 am

      It’s because you’re an uneducated little girl who has nothing intelligent or respectful to say

      • Sp

        May 8, 2016 at 2:43 am

        Wrong sport, culo

      • G

        May 9, 2016 at 2:38 am

        Yeah ok, pretending to be somebody else isn’t really going to fool anybody, and somebody called you Mary and clearly that’s more appropriate than the above

  16. John Triscott

    May 6, 2016 at 8:24 pm

    Actually a great topic for a satire article (which is why I clicked on the article) but its like you had Butch Harmon work with you, Custom set of golf clubs, new clothes, then you get to the first tee, brand new ProV1 and you… SHANK! This actually worse than the FTF fillers…

  17. Other Paul

    May 6, 2016 at 7:59 pm

    Satire at its worst. An article designed to stir up controversy (it is working) and get hits on the website. I didnt enjoy it at all.

  18. Athletic Supporter

    May 6, 2016 at 6:06 pm

    Just when I thought all the dirt had been thrown on poor Tiger, LOL. Sad fact is he will never win another PGA event, never mind a major. Unfortunately, it’s just painful to watch Tiger struggling to make a cut and then using a new, incredulous excuse when he opts to withdraw(. Formal retirement might be the best exit plan at this point.

  19. J.R.

    May 6, 2016 at 4:22 pm

    I lost it on number 5… lol
    #WaterInMyKeyboard

    • Christosterone

      May 6, 2016 at 4:54 pm

      What exactly did you lose?
      -Christosterone

  20. Shayan1121

    May 6, 2016 at 3:19 pm

    This is pretty bad. Not just the subject matter, the writing style is just plain awful and almost unreadable.

    As someone who graduated with a degree in writing/journalism, I find it hard to believe you pay this person to write for you. It makes me scratch my head that people who write like this have jobs/get paid and I had a hard time finding work after graduating. What a waste.

  21. Mike

    May 6, 2016 at 2:59 pm

    Kudos to WRX if you don’t like Swanson don’t visit the website. woods has done nothing for golf only for himself if you see it differently get yourself a life! The next time you need to make your house payment or put food on your table shit in one hand or call woods for help see which one you get first. I’ve been in the golf business for 55 plus years and more rules have been changed to accommodate woods than any player that came before him.Great player but a person with no moral character who loves only himself and wives of anyone else!

    • Tyler

      May 6, 2016 at 4:21 pm

      Huh? 55 years in the biz, and you can’t see his impact on the sport? Did you stop watching when Jack won his last Masters?

      • Mike

        May 6, 2016 at 5:10 pm

        I haven’t watched a golf tournament that woods has played in since his indiscretions. The golf channel worships woods like he’s a God and I don’t watch the golf channel. The media can take all the PC statements and place them in the hand that fills up first. Your correct he has had an impact and it’s not a good one. When’s the last time America has contended in the Ryder cup rest assured it won’t be this year!

        • Tyler

          May 7, 2016 at 9:15 am

          Im not really sure that he’s 100% to blame for the Ryder Cup losses. Most every US Ryder Cup player has had a dismal record lately. I’m optimistic about the Future of the US team. If you are not watching golf tournaments he plays in then I would assume you don’t watch the NBA, NFL, etc. I respect your views because you sound like a man with high morals. I just think we don’t have to take entertainment that seriously.

    • Harley Weewax

      May 6, 2016 at 5:39 pm

      Perfectly stated!

  22. Vancouver Mellencamp

    May 6, 2016 at 2:42 pm

    I find this article very offensive. Not to Tiger, but to ‘writing’. And ‘humor’.

    • SPANKY

      May 6, 2016 at 3:04 pm

      It’s perfect because golf has turned into a stupid reality show- look at these pampas P^$$!{S on the course these days. They all make me sick! I wish there were more Swansons but the reality is they are all gone and golf is suck a lame pathetic thing to watch and the loosers that secrete over it are idiotic!

      • Mike

        May 6, 2016 at 5:15 pm

        Your correct I only hope more people see what golf has become. Unfortunately most are blinded by the BS.

        • Fat Hacker

          May 6, 2016 at 11:46 pm

          It is YOU’RE correct. I get it that you are angry, disaffected, disenchanted and generally butt-hurt, but please – in the name of all that is holy – learn to write.

  23. B. Parsons

    May 6, 2016 at 2:18 pm

    Please just stop with this “author”. Stupid stories and they are more disrespectful than funny.

    • Mike

      May 6, 2016 at 5:17 pm

      woods deserves NO respect!

      • Other Paul

        May 6, 2016 at 7:55 pm

        Everyone deserves some respect. Whether they earn it and lose it or not.

  24. Fictional Reader

    May 6, 2016 at 1:56 pm

    #SwansonISlameGOLFWRXSHAME

  25. Johnny

    May 6, 2016 at 1:46 pm

    Garbage article. Let Swanson post in the forums, but don’t put him on the front page.

  26. remy

    May 6, 2016 at 1:38 pm

    w.t.f. hide behind swanson to piss on tiger but he really help our sports getting fans and more fans mean more money mean more golf club and……..

  27. Marc G

    May 6, 2016 at 1:29 pm

    Tiger may not be the golfer he once was, but he is one of best ever. Deserves some respect. This article is just stupid, like the couple other times I’ve read things you wrote.

  28. Steve

    May 6, 2016 at 1:16 pm

    Loved it – keep them coming. The Tiger lovers have lost their sense of humor…………….

    • Robeli

      May 6, 2016 at 1:21 pm

      Did they ever had a sense of humor?

    • Anna

      May 6, 2016 at 2:36 pm

      Seems like your one of those guys that think they’re funny, but really people are laughing at you, not your jokes.

  29. CCshop

    May 6, 2016 at 1:03 pm

    I use to respect golfwrx.com but dumb posts like these have made me lose so much respect for this site

  30. Raven

    May 6, 2016 at 1:02 pm

    All these comments about this being humorous for whatever reason… it simply isn’t very funny. This guy has some good ideas but doesn’t have the ability to follow through with them.

  31. Steve Hyun

    May 6, 2016 at 12:49 pm

    dumb. please stop with these

  32. Robeli

    May 6, 2016 at 12:45 pm

    Oh my, some of the comments should get a life.

  33. Bdinger

    May 6, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    Don’t get distracted by the blindly pro-tiger comments. Regardless of what you think of Tiger, this article sucks. It’s supposed to be funny, right? That’s the problem. Not funny. And not because of the subject matter . .just not funny. It takes a certain skill/talent to be funny. This guy does not have it. He’s like the 2016 Tiger Woods of being funny.

  34. Relax

    May 6, 2016 at 12:24 pm

    They really need to keep writing these articles… if it is going to get all the uptight people to leave the site then WRX is better off. Everyone just needs to relax, if you don’t like what Swanson has to say DON’T READ IT. This is the third article and you know what it is going to be, yet you still insist on getting your lace panties in a bunch by reading it anyway. I am going to become a member specifically for these articles. The entire golf world needs to lighten up a bit and move away from all these old people who are angry all the time. HAVE SOME FUN!!!!!!

    • MisawaGol4

      May 9, 2016 at 7:31 am

      That is why golf is dying… IT’S NO LONGER ABOUT HAVING FUN! I love this article and those like it. Once in awhile you just have to enjoy reading something and stop evaluating it against your favorite copy of Gone With The Wind or War And Peace.

  35. Dan

    May 6, 2016 at 12:04 pm

    Wow, I really do not like Tiger (although he’s come a long away from the jerk he was…..) and I find this article completely offensive, mean-spirited and gratuitous. Its a shock that WRX would publish this. If Woods won a 15th major, he’s walking away? I doubt it.

    I understand what satire is, but this is kicking a guy when he’s down. (And I dont like him). I expect golf to be treated a little better by GolfWRX.

    Maybe GolfWRX’s time has passed…………..Bro

    • Scott

      May 6, 2016 at 4:23 pm

      It is supposed to be offensive and mean-spirited.

  36. Ex Follower

    May 6, 2016 at 12:03 pm

    This is the straw that broke the camel’s back. This article (and this writer) is so offensive I am cancelling my subscription to your publications, deleting my account and will NEVER visit this site again. You really should listen to your readers… this guy stinks.

    C-ya, bye.

  37. Pete

    May 6, 2016 at 11:58 am

    Was this article written by a High School kid (with a D- GPA)?

  38. Mike Honcho

    May 6, 2016 at 11:48 am

    Better story title: Golf WRX proposes reader poll to remove Swanson as a writer. His keyboard would be unplugged before lunch.

    “my barber comes on Mondays”. You have someone that comes to your home and cuts your hair I take it? Bushwood membership $$ does have its perks I guess.

    • Mike

      May 6, 2016 at 5:25 pm

      Iam a member at Bushwood and take offense to what you have posted!

  39. Joe

    May 6, 2016 at 11:47 am

    The article is not very original or very funny. I can certainly see why the author wants to be anonymous.

    • Robeli

      May 6, 2016 at 12:46 pm

      I can also see why some of these ‘comments’ wants to be anonymous. LOL

  40. Tourgrinder

    May 6, 2016 at 11:47 am

    Well, one thing is for sure. Swanson is definitely a millennial or even younger. If he plays the Tiger Woods PGA Tour video game, I don’t need to know anything more. He most likely watches Colbert for his news, thinks Conan and Samantha Bee are intelligent and funny, and also misses Chelsea Handler.

  41. Sq

    May 6, 2016 at 11:46 am

    Let him use the square grooves that helped him win those majors.

    And makes sure there are Blondes waiting for him at every green to clean his balls

    • TCJ

      May 6, 2016 at 12:18 pm

      Might as well toss that salad while you’re down there ladies!

    • Robeli

      May 6, 2016 at 12:48 pm

      Keep this civil. No below the belt comment.

  42. Cornfused...

    May 6, 2016 at 11:45 am

    Here is how to describe this article’s hate:

    1. People don’t realize it is fake and made for satire purposes only.
    2. There are actual people in the boards who are saying these things all the time and they are pissed that someone made a satire out of them.
    3. They legitimately have no sense of sarcasm what-so-ever. I’ve run in to these people in real life, it is frightening.

    • Pete

      May 6, 2016 at 11:59 am

      I have no problem with satire. But this is just dumb.

  43. Professor

    May 6, 2016 at 11:41 am

    Coward!

  44. Greg V

    May 6, 2016 at 11:37 am

    Swanson – some of your best work.

  45. SHANK

    May 6, 2016 at 11:32 am

    Terrible article. Fire the writer after you out him to us the reader. Pathetic trash of a site this has quickly become. You gonna write about how Rory is washed up too? He’s only played 18 holes since the masters! Loser…

    SHANK

  46. Steven

    May 6, 2016 at 11:32 am

    Awwww…..what’s the matter? Tiger fans are so enamored with their hero that they can’t sense even the most blatant sarcasm. I love seeing their collective panties in a bunch. As I’ve always said, Tiger fans and Golf fans are mutually exclusive of one another.

    • SHANK

      May 6, 2016 at 11:43 am

      Maybe golf fans and tiger fans should have separate water fountains and bathrooms, too.

      This article is a joke in poor taste, maybe they should write one about how Rory has played only 18 holes since the Masters and he is clearly washed up because of it. GOLFWRX blogs are going downhill lately.

    • Brandon

      May 6, 2016 at 11:46 am

      The problem is you’re too dumb to realize that no one cares about Tiger being made fun of – its that the article is not even slightly humorous. If you’re going to make fun of Tiger, at least be funny. Throw in some jokes about getting the glutes firing, having hot women on the course as reward to entice better play…you know something that hasn’t been beaten to death. Oh wait.

      • Robeli

        May 6, 2016 at 12:51 pm

        Tiger has been beaten to death – that’s the problem.

  47. RollTheRock

    May 6, 2016 at 11:25 am

    So many haters. This article is hilarious, just don’t read it and let the others enjoy.

    • painter33

      May 6, 2016 at 11:49 am

      “Hilarious”? Irony is usually carried off best when there is some intellect behind it – as in “wit”, not comedy. The references to guys playing “because they can” and make the cut proves that they still can kick it around pretty well. Tiger is far from Tom Watson at this point. I agree that steel shafts allow for a more aggressive swing with a more controllable dispersion, but Tiger has one a few with graphite. This is just very unfunny though tries to be clever. It’s not.

      • Hack

        May 6, 2016 at 1:20 pm

        You seriously are debating the merits of steel versus graphite? Maybe, just maybe you have missed the point.

        • RollTheRock

          May 6, 2016 at 1:52 pm

          Hack, it’s over. Painter33 one this round.

  48. CulbTwirl

    May 6, 2016 at 11:23 am

    I love these. Keep’ em coming!!!

  49. rechlo67

    May 6, 2016 at 11:22 am

    What a horrible article.

  50. steve

    May 6, 2016 at 10:59 am

    Man this guy is a IDIOT, make him go away

  51. chad

    May 6, 2016 at 10:50 am

    This should be a Southwest airlines commercial….

    ” you know when you write a forum blog and you think it’s hilarious…..but then…..everyone hates it”…..Wanna get away?

  52. Tyler

    May 6, 2016 at 10:41 am

    Is this writer even a golfer? Does he not remember the last year Tiger was healthy, 2013? Voted by his peers as Player of the Year, and thumped a whining Sergio to win the Players Championship. I am really looking forward to watching Tiger play. If he gets healthy he has at least 8 great years in the tank. The new big five is full of great guys who are great players, but none of them will sniff the career of the GOAT. When the new big five is done you could probably add up there career majors and PGA Tour victories, and it still wouldn’t equal Tiger Woods. Phil is the 2nd best golfer in the past 20 years, and Tiger has still had at least 3 times the career. This writer is trash, and is beneath Golf Wrx. If you don’t want to watch it…..don’t tune in.

  53. Don

    May 6, 2016 at 10:40 am

    I get the intent of this article. And I really wanted to laugh. But I didn’t. Forced attempt at humor. Comedy and satire require a twisting of the viewpoints until you get to a perspective that can be taken in a whole bunch of directions. They have to be based on truth, however. This article loses the plot as soon as it mentions graphite shaft. ha… ha… ha… If this is an area GolfWRX wants to really get into as a niche section then you guys need better writers. Or, get this guy to read some books on how to write humor. They are out there.

    • Ron

      May 6, 2016 at 12:22 pm

      Best comment so far. There was probably a good satirical or parody piece to be written on this subject. Unfortunately “Swanson” failed miserably. Reads like an 8th grader wrote it trying to be funny.

    • Cornfused...

      May 6, 2016 at 3:59 pm

      What you might want to do is head to the threads and check out what real people are saying about Tiger. Then you might change your mind about this article. Just saying that real people are really saying most of the things covered in this article.

      • Ron

        May 6, 2016 at 6:11 pm

        I know people are saying a lot of the same things about Tiger but this “writer” just sucks at the way he says it. Like I said it could have been a great read if the author could write. Good premise, bad execution. Maybe he just couldn’t get his brain firing.

  54. George

    May 6, 2016 at 10:37 am

    I think Swanson left out the most important accommodation.

    Swanson should caddie for Tiger Woods at Oakmont.

  55. Rob

    May 6, 2016 at 10:16 am

    Guys, Lighten Up. I’m pretty sure this is one of those tongue-in-cheek type articles that was purposely written to be as over the top hateful as possible. Over done? Yeah a little, but I found it hilarious.

  56. cody

    May 6, 2016 at 10:12 am

    i actually think this is funny @ #1. rather than design a super golf ball. Just let him Play PGA tour 2016 on the xbox to compete.

  57. mitch

    May 6, 2016 at 9:57 am

    somebody woke up hating tiger woods today!

  58. Jay

    May 6, 2016 at 9:50 am

    Sad to think my $35 membership fee supports this – plenty of homeless folks could have used it more and accomplished far more with the $$

  59. Konklifer

    May 6, 2016 at 9:46 am

    Does Golfwrx actually pay this @$$hat?

    • Robeli

      May 6, 2016 at 12:55 pm

      No, you actually help pay. By reading WRX, you create traffic which pleases advertisers which pays the bill.

  60. Christosterone

    May 6, 2016 at 9:40 am

    The last time he was halfway healthy(2.5 years ago) he won 5 times including the Players…let me repeat that, 5 Times..

    congrats on the troll though…

    -Christosterone

  61. Donald Quiote

    May 6, 2016 at 9:28 am

    Dear GolfWrx,
    Your site usually is filled with such great articles and good reads. I know you thought this could be a fun experiment with allowing a troll to have access to posting articles but it’s failing. Please remove this and take time to find someone who acutally writes something that would contribute to site.

    Best Reguards,
    Don Quiote

  62. devilsadvocate

    May 6, 2016 at 9:21 am

    Good lord so many people got the satire but missed the joke…. Swanson does not share an opinion with the writer… Swanson spouts garbage you would expect to hear from “that guy” at the club… The writer is saying this is the kind of thing a moron says and doesn’t believe any of it to be accurate. Its supposed to represent the opinion of an idiot… If you happen to share Swanson’s opinion the writer is saying u are an idiot…. If u didn’t get that and are rushing to defend tiger unnecessarily you are also an idiot and missed the whole point of the article

    • BrewmeisterSmith

      May 6, 2016 at 10:09 am

      Well said. I was shocked at many of the responses and then I remembered how many dumb people there are in this world.

    • Jvokal

      May 6, 2016 at 11:51 am

      Amen! Its laughable and sad that so many people completely missed the point of the article.

    • Robeli

      May 6, 2016 at 1:01 pm

      Amen

    • Brandon

      May 6, 2016 at 1:58 pm

      No, we totally get what the writer is trying to do. It’s that its unoriginal and not even remotely funny. IF you’re going to use the satire angle at least be clever and witty. This was an embarrassing attempt.

      • Brian

        May 6, 2016 at 4:12 pm

        Brandon – agree with you 100%.

        or should I have said….

        Amen

        now that’s satire

  63. taffy

    May 6, 2016 at 9:19 am

    WRX has “jumped the shark”.

  64. Hooker T. Washington

    May 6, 2016 at 9:05 am

    Haha I love this stuff, and find it to be hilarious. I don’t know why y’all get so upset and butt-hurt over articles that are meant for nothing more than some good humor

    • BrewmeisterSmith

      May 6, 2016 at 10:11 am

      It’s simple really. People are dumb.

      • TDBACH

        May 6, 2016 at 12:39 pm

        I think you judge unfairly. Uninformed and outrageous comments fly on web site like this all the time, without any sense of irony. It’s hard to tell parody from serious intent anymore. So you have Tiger haters and fans responding almost by reflex. Face it, if you haven’t bothered to read the “Swanson” bio, it would be hard to tell this is a joke – and not at Tiger’s expense, but ours.

  65. barto78

    May 6, 2016 at 8:56 am

    Very little analysis in your opinion and analysis article. I guess Golfwrx has succumb to being a click-bait generating website with crap like this……

    Just a sad day really for this terrific website.

  66. Insider

    May 6, 2016 at 8:40 am

    one more rule, tiger has to use persimmon woods, and wound ball. hickory shafts are optional.

    • Robeli

      May 6, 2016 at 12:56 pm

      No, you got it wrong. The OTHER players has to use that.

  67. ooffa

    May 6, 2016 at 8:37 am

    C’mon Gofwrx, their has to be comedy writers you can hire that are funny. There are many candidates in the comment section. At least try and contact one of them.

  68. Daly

    May 6, 2016 at 8:34 am

    The one thing Tiger Woods and GolfWrx have in common, they’re both past their prime.

  69. Todd

    May 6, 2016 at 8:30 am

    Pathetic and juvenile attempt at humor.

  70. Philip

    May 6, 2016 at 8:27 am

    Awesome satire! Though I would think the handicap requirement only applies to non-professional golfers.

  71. Dj

    May 6, 2016 at 8:25 am

    Can I have my 2 minutes back? I’ve seen troll threads about blades in the forums better than this article.

  72. Mike Puglielli

    May 6, 2016 at 8:14 am

    Lets not let, arguably the best golfer of all time, play at our golf course—you’re right. With this mentality there shouldn’t be a lot of things.

  73. TW

    May 6, 2016 at 8:10 am

    Shank

  74. Jody

    May 6, 2016 at 8:07 am

    Might be time to can this whole “Swanson” bit.

  75. Anna

    May 6, 2016 at 8:04 am

    Really is a patheticly new low for GOLFWRX….

  76. Nath

    May 6, 2016 at 7:55 am

    Oah its you again, havent you gone back deep down in the forums already!

  77. avid golfer

    May 6, 2016 at 7:54 am

    this is the worst article I have ever read on this site. if it’s an attempt at satire it’s way off the mark and very poorly executed. truly embarrassing garbage for WRX.

  78. Hammy

    May 6, 2016 at 7:54 am

    I’m far from a Tiger fan boy but this article is rather garbage. Lets not forget if it wasnt for Tiger… majority of us probably wouldnt be playing golf and this site would probably not exist. I’ve read some pretty bad articles before but this is at the top. Usually articles contain some context that makes sense but the only thing I see here is hate.
    If a WRX member was to post this in the forums this would have been removed so quickly as per all the other posts that are based on hate. Instead you post this on the front page and totally contradict the rules the forum marshals enforce.
    Congrats!

    • TCJ

      May 6, 2016 at 12:35 pm

      I loathe the sentiment that Tiger Woods is some sort of golf savior. The game existed before, and will most certainly exist after he quits playing.

  79. tiger is number 1

    May 6, 2016 at 7:51 am

    This is sad, Tiger has done more for than game then we can fathom.. all those young first time winners more than likely grew up watching him play.. he is still and forever will be great for the game.. better luck on your next article swanson

  80. tiger woods

    May 6, 2016 at 7:49 am

    wow swanson just casue you have a small johnson and can only get laid by fat chicks dont mean you need to write garbage to bash the goat!

  81. Cdub

    May 6, 2016 at 7:30 am

    Worst article I have ever read on this site. I hope the site is not moving in this direction. This is garbage content.

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19th Hole

Vincenzi’s 2024 Valspar Championship betting preview: Elite ballstrikers to thrive at Copperhead

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The PGA TOUR will stay in Florida this week for the 2024 Valspar Championship.

The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort is a par 71 measuring 7,340 yards and features Bermudagrass greens overseeded with POA. Infamous for its difficulty, the track will be a tough test for golfers as trouble lurks all over the place. Holes 16, 17 and 18 — also known as the “Snake Pit” — make up one of the toughest three-hole stretches in golf and should lead to a captivating finish on Sunday.

The field is comprised of 156 golfers teeing it up. The field this week is solid and is a major improvement over last year’s field that felt the impact of players skipping due to a handful of “signature events” in a short span of time. 

Past Winners at Valspar Championship

  • 2023: Taylor Moore (-10)
  • 2022: Sam Burns (-17)
  • 2021: Sam Burns (-17)
  • 2019: Paul Casey (-8)
  • 2018: Paul Casey (-10)
  • 2017: Adam Hadwin (-14)
  • 2016: Charl Schwartzel (-7)
  • 2015: Jordan Spieth (-10)

In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value). 

Key Stats For Copperhead

1. Strokes Gained: Approach

Strokes Gained: Approach grades out as the most important statistic once again this week. Copperhead really can’t be overpowered and is a second-shot golf course.

Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds (per round)

  1. Tony Finau (+.90)
  2. Nick Taylor (+.81)
  3. Justin Thomas (+.77)
  4. Greyson Sigg (+.69)
  5. Christiaan Bezuidenhout (+.67)

2. Good Drive %

The long hitters can be a bit limited here due to the tree-lined fairways and penal rough. Playing from the fairways will be important, but laying back too far will cause some difficult approaches with firm greens that may not hold shots from long irons.

Golfers who have a good balance of distance and accuracy have the best chance this week.

Good Drive % Over Past 24 Rounds

  1. Brice Garnett (+91.3%) 
  2. Zach Johnson (+91.1%)
  3. Sam Ryder (+90.5%)
  4. Ryan Moore (+90.4%)
  5. Aaron Rai (+89.7%)

3. Strokes Gained: Ball Striking

Adding ball-striking puts even more of a premium on tee-to-green prowess in the statistical model this week. Golfers who rank highly in ball-striking are in total control of the golf ball which is exceedingly important at Copperhead.

SG: Ball Striking Over Past 24 Rounds:

  1. Xander Schauffele (+1.32)
  2. Keith Mitchell (+1.29)
  3. Tony Finau (+1.24)
  4. Cameron Young (+1.17) 
  5. Doug Ghim (+.95)

4. Bogey Avoidance

With the conditions likely to be difficult, avoiding bogeys will be crucial this week. In a challenging event like the Valspar, oftentimes the golfer who is best at avoiding mistakes ends up on top.

Gritty golfers who can grind out difficult pars have a much better chance in an event like this than a low-scoring birdie-fest.

Bogey Avoidance Over Past 24 Rounds

  1. Brice Garnett (+9.0)
  2. Xander Schauffele (+9.3)
  3. Austin Cook (+9.7) 
  4. Chesson Hadley (+10.0)
  5. Greyson Sigg (+10.2)

5. Strokes Gained: Total in Difficult Conditions

Conditions will be tough this week at Copperhead. I am looking for golfers who can rise to the occasion if the course plays as difficult as it has in the past.

Strokes Gained: Total in Difficult Conditions Over Past 24 rounds

  1. Xander Schauffele (+1,71) 
  2. Min Woo Lee (+1.39)
  3. Cameron Young (+1.27)
  4. Jordan Spieth (+1.08)
  5. Justin Suh (+.94)

6. Course History

That statistic will tell us which players have played well at Copperhead in the past.

Course History Over Past 24 rounds

  1. Patrick Cantlay (+3.75) 
  2. Sam Burns (+2.49)
  3. Davis Riley (+2.33)
  4. Matt NeSmith (+2.22)
  5. Jordan Spieth (+2.04)

The Valspar Championship Model Rankings

Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (27%), Good Drive % (15%), SG: BS (20%), Bogeys Avoided (13%), Course History (13%) Strokes Gained: Total in Difficult Conditions (12%).

  1. Xander Schauffele
  2. Doug Ghim
  3. Victor Perez
  4. Greyson Sigg
  5. Ryan Moore
  6. Tony Finau
  7. Justin Thomas
  8. Sam Ryder
  9. Sam Burns
  10. Lucas Glover

2024 Valspar Championship Picks

Justin Thomas +1400 (DraftKings)

Justin Thomas will be disappointed with his finish at last week’s PLAYERS Championship, as the past champion missed the cut despite being in some decent form heading into the event. Despite the missed cut, JT hit the ball really well. In his two rounds, the two-time major champion led the field in Strokes Gained: Approach per round.

Thomas has been up and down this season. He’s missed the cut in two “signature events” but also has finishes of T12 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, T12 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, T6 at the Pebble Beach AT&T Pro-Am and T3 at the American Express. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach and 6th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking in the field.

Thomas loves Copperhead. In his last three tries at the course, he’s finished T13, T3 and T10. Thomas would have loved to get a win at a big event early in the season, but avoidable mistakes and a balky putter have cost him dearly. I believe a trip to a course he loves in a field he should be able to capitalize on is the right recipe for JT to right the ship.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout +6000 (FanDuel)

Christiaan Bezuidenhout is playing spectacular golf in the 2024 season. He finished 2nd at the American Express, T20 at Pebble Beach and T24 at the Genesis Invitational before finishing T13 at last week’s PLAYERS Championship.

In his past 24 rounds, the South African ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach and 26th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. Bezuidenhout managed to work his way around TPC Sawgrass last week with minimal damage. He only made five bogeys in the entire week, which is a great sign heading into a difficult Copperhead this week.

Bezuidenhout is winless in his PGA Tour career, but certainly has the talent to win on Tour. His recent iron play tells me that this week could be a breakthrough for the 35-year-old who has eyes on the President’s Cup.

Doug Ghim +8000 (FanDuel)

Doug Ghim has finished in the top-16 of his past five starts. Most recently, Ghim finished T16 at The PLAYERS Championship in a loaded field.

In his past 24 rounds, Ghim ranks 8th in Strokes Gained: Approach and 5th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. In terms of his fit for Copperhead, the 27-year-old ranks 12th in Bogey Avoidance and 7th in Strokes Gained: Total in Difficult Conditions, making him a great fit for the course.

Ghim has yet to win on Tour, but at one point he was the top ranked Amateur golfer in the world and played in the 2017 Arnold Palmer Cup and 2017 Walker Cup. He then won the Ben Hogan award for the best male college golfer in 2018. He certainly has the talent, and there are signals aplenty that his talent in ready to take him to the winner’s circle on the PGA Tour.

Sepp Straka +8000 (BetRivers)

Sepp Straka is a player who’s shown he has the type of game that can translate to a difficult Florida golf course. The former Presidents Cup participant won the 2022 Honda Classic in tough conditions and should thrive with a similar test at Copperhead.

It’s been a slow 2024 for Straka, but his performance last week at the PLAYERS Championship surely provides some optimism. He gained 5.4 strokes on approach as well as 1.88 strokes off the tee. The tee-to-green game Straka showed on a course with plenty of danger demonstrates that he can stay in control of his golf ball this week.

It’s possible that the strong performance last week was an outlier, but I’m willing to bet on a proven winner in a weaker field at a great number.

Victor Perez +12000 (FanDuel)

Victor Perez is no stranger to success in professional golf. The Frenchman has three DP World Tour wins including a Rolex Series event. He won the 2019 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, as well as the 2023 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, which are some big events.

Perez earned his PGA Tour card this season and enters the week playing some fantastic golf. He finished in a tie for 16th in Florida at the Cognizant Classic and then tied for third in his most recent start at the Puerto Rico Open.

In his past 24 rounds in the field, Perez ranks 11th in Strokes Gained: Approach, 1oth in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking, 6th in Good Drive % and 15th in Bogey Avoidance.

Perez comes in as a perfect fit for Copperhead and offers serious value at triple-digit odds.

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Opinion & Analysis

Myrtle Beach, Explored: February in South Carolina

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As I gain in experience and age, and familiarity breeds neither contempt nor disdain, I understand why people return to a place. A destination like Myrtle Beach offers a sizable supply and diversity of restaurants, entertainment venues, and shops that are predicated on the tenets of the service industry. Greet your customers with a smile and a kind word, and they will find comfort and assurance. Provide them with a memorable experience and they will suggest your place of business to others.

My first tour of Myrtle Beach took place in the mid-1980s, and consisted of one course: Gator Hole. I don’t remember much from that day, and since Gator Hole closed a decade later, I cannot revisit it to recollect what I’d lost. Since then, I’ve come to the Grand Strand a few times, and been fortunate to never place a course more than once. I’ve seen the Strantz courses to the south and dipped my toe in the North Carolina courses of Calabash. I’ve been to many in the middle, including Dunes, Pine Lakes, Grande Dunes among them.

2024 brought a quartet of new courses, including two at the Barefoot Resort. I’d heard about the North Myrtle Beach four-pack of courses that highlight the Barefoot property, including layouts from Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Davis Love III, and Greg Norman. I had the opportunity to play and shoot the Dye and Fazio tracks, which means that I’ll have to return to see the other two. Sandwiched between them were the TPC-Myrtle Beach course, also from Tom Fazio, and the Pawley’s Plantation trace, by the hand of Jack Nicklaus. I anticipated a bit of the heroic, and bit of the strategic, and plenty of eye candy. None of those architects would ever be considered a minimalist, so there would be plenty of in-play and out-of-play bunkers and mounds to tantalize the senses.

My nephew arrived a few days early, to screen a few more courses. As a result, you the reader will have an extra quarter of mini-reviews, bringing the total of courses in this piece to eight. It was inconceivable that CJR would play four courses that I had never played nor photographed, but that was the case. His words appear at the end of this piece. We hope that you enjoy the tour.

Main Feature: Two Barefoots, a TPC, and Pawley’s Plantation

Barefoot Dye

What Paul “Pete” Dye brought back from his trips to the United Kingdom, hearkened back to what C.B. MacDonal did, some 65 years prior. There is a way of finding bunkers and fairways, and even green sites, that does not require major industrial work. The Dye course at Barefoot Resorts takes you on a journey over the rumpled terrain of distant places. If there’s one element missing, it’s the creased and turbulent fairways, so often found in England and Ireland. The one tenet of playing a Dye course, is to always aim away from temptation, from where your eyes draw you. Find the safe side of the target, and you’ll probably find your ball. It then stands that you will have a shot for your next attempt. Cut the corner, and you might have need to reload. The Barefoot course begins gently, in terms of distance, but challenges with visual deception. After two brief 4s and a 3, the real work begins. The course is exposed enough, to allow the coastal winds to dance along the fairways. Be ready to keep the ball low and take an extra club or two.

TPC-Myrtle Beach

If memory serves, TPCMB is my first trek around a TPC-branded course. It had all the trappings of a tour course, from the welcome, through the clubhouse, to the practice facilities and, of course, the course. TPC-Myrtle Beach is a Tom Fazio design, and if you never visit Augusta National, you’ll now have an idea of what it is like. You play Augusta’s 16th hole twice at TPCMB, and you enjoy it both times. Fazio really likes the pond-left, green-angle-around par three hole, and his two iterations of it are memorable.

You’ll also see those Augusta bunkers, the ones with the manicured edges that drop into a modestly-circular form. What distinguishes these sand pits is the manner in which they rise from the surrounding ground. They are unique in that they don’t resemble the geometric bunkering of a Seth Raynor, nor the organic pits found in origin courses. They are built, make no mistake, and recovery from them is manageable for all levels of bunker wizardry.

Barefoot Fazio

If you have the opportunity to play the two Tom Fazio courses back to back, you’ll notice a marked difference in styling. Let me digress for a moment, then circle back with an explanation. It was written that the NLE World Woods course designed by Fazio, Pine Barrens, was an homage to Pine Valley, the legendary, New Jersey club where Fazio is both a member and the architect on retainer. The Pine Barrens course was plowed under in 2022, so the homage no longer exists. At least, I didn’t think that it existed, until I played his Barefoot Resort course in North Myrtle Beach.

Pine Valley might be described as an aesthetic of scrub and sand. There are mighty, forced carries to travers, along with sempiternal, sandy lairs to avoid. Barefoot Fazio is quite similar. If you’re not faced with a forced carry, you’ll certainly contend with a fairway border or greenside necklace of sand. When you reach the 13th tee, you’ll face a drive into a fairway, and you might see a distant green, with a notable absence: flagstick. The 13th is the icing on the homage cake, a callout of the 8th hole at Pine Valley. Numero Ocho at the OG has two greens, side by side, and they change the manner in which the hole plays (so they say.) At Barefoot Fazio, the right-side green is a traditional approach, with an unimpeded run of fairway to putting surface. The left-side green (the one that I was fortunate to play) demands a pitch shot over a wasteland. It’s a fitting tribute for the rest of us to play.

Be certain to parrot the starter, Leon’s, advice, and play up a deck of tees. Barefoot Fazio offers five par-three holes, so the fours and fives play that much longer. Remember, too, that you are on vacation. Why not treat yourself to some birdie looks?

Pawley’s Plantation

The Jack Nicklaus course at Pawley’s Plantation emerged from a period of hibernation in 2024. The greens were torn up and their original contours were restored. Work was overseen by Troy Vincent, a member of the Nicklaus Architecture team. In addition, the putting corridors were reseeded with a hardier, dwarf bermuda that has experienced great success, all along the Grand Strand that is Myrtle Beach.

My visit allowed me to see the inward half first, and I understand why the resort wishes to conclude your day on those holes. The front nine of Pawley’s Plantation works its way through familiar, low country trees and wetlands. The back nine begins in similar fashion, then makes its way east, toward the marsh that separates mainland from Pawley’s Island. Recalling the powerful sun of that Wednesday morning, any round beginning on the second nine would face collateral damage from the warming star. Much better to hit holes 11 to close when the sun is higher in the sky.

The marshland holes (12 through 17) are spectacular in their raw, unprotected nature. The winds off the Atlantic are unrelenting and unforgiving, and the twin, par-three holes will remain in your memory banks for time’s march. In typical Golden Bear fashion, a majority of his putting targets are smallish in nature, reflecting his appreciation for accurate approach shots. Be sure to find the forgiving side of each green, and err to that portion. You’ll be grateful.

Bonus Coverage: Myrtlewood, Beechwood, Arrowhead, and King’s North

Arrowhead (Raymond Floyd and Tom Jackson)

A course built in the middle of a community, water threatens on most every hole. The Cypress 9 provides a few holes forcing a carried drive then challenge you with water surrounding the green. On Waterway, a drivable 2nd hole will tempt most, so make sure the group ahead has cleared the green.

Myrtlewood (Edmund Alt and Arthur Hills) and Beechwood (Gene Hamm)

A middle of the winter New Englander’s paradise. Wide open fairways, zero blind shots and light rough allow for shaking off the rust and plenty of forgiveness. A plethora of dog legs cause one to be cautious with every tee shot. Won’t break the bank nor the scorecard.

King’s North @ Myrtle Beach National (Arnold Palmer)

A signature Arnold Palmer course, waste areas, island greens and daring tee shots. Highlighted by the 4th hole Par 5 Gambler hole, if you can hit the smaller fairway on the left you are rewarded with a short approach to get to the green in 2. The back 9 is highlighted by an island green par 3 and a finisher with over 40 bunkers spread throughout. A challenge for any golfer.
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19th Hole

Vincenzi’s 2024 Players Championship betting preview: Pete Dye specialists ready to pass tough TPC Sawgrass test

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The PGA Tour heads to TPC Sawgrass to play in one of the most prestigious and important events of the season: THE PLAYERS Championship. Often referred to as the fifth major, the importance of a PLAYERS victory to the legacy of a golfer can’t be overlooked.

TPC Sawgrass is a par-72 measuring 7,245 yards and featuring Bermudagrass greens. Golfers must be patient in attacking this Pete Dye course.

With trouble lurking at every turn, the strokes can add up quickly. With a par-5 16th that is a true risk-reward hole and the famous par-3 17th island green, the only safe bet at TPC Sawgrass is a bet on an exciting finish.

THE PLAYERS Championship field is often referred to as the strongest field of the year — and with good reason. There are 144 in the field, including 43 of the world’s top 50 players in the OWGR. Tiger Woods will not be playing in the event.

THE PLAYERS is an exceptionally volatile event that has never seen a back-to-back winner.

Past Winners at TPC Sawgrass

  • 2023: Scottie Scheffler (-17)
  • 2022: Cameron Smith (-13)
  • 2021: Justin Thomas (-14)
  • 2019: Rory McIlroy (-16)
  • 2018: Webb Simpson (-18)
  • 2017: Si-Woo Kim (-10)
  • 2016: Jason Day (-15)
  • 2015: Rickie Fowler (-12)In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value). 

5 Key Stats for TPC Sawgrass

Let’s take a look at five metrics key for TPC Sawgrass to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their last 24 rounds.

1. Strokes Gained: Approach

Strokes Gained: Approach has historically been far and away the most important and predictive stat at THE PLAYERS Championship. With water everywhere, golfers can’t afford to be wild with their iron shots. Not only is it essential to avoid the water, but it will also be as important to go after pins and make birdies because scores can get relatively low.

Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds

  1. Tom Hoge (+1.37) 
  2. Scottie Scheffler (+1.20)
  3. Tony Finau (+0.99)
  4. Jake Knapp (+0.83)
  5. Shane Lowry (+0.80)

2. Total Driving

This statistic is perfect for TPC Sawgrass. Historically, driving distance hasn’t been a major factor, but since the date switch to March, it’s a bit more significant. During this time of year, the ball won’t carry quite as far, and the runout is also shorter.

Driving accuracy is also crucial due to all of the trouble golfers can get into off of the tee. Therefore, players who are gaining on the field with Total Driving will put themselves in an ideal spot this week.

Total Driving Over Past 24 Rounds

  1. Rory McIlroy (22)
  2. Akshay Bhatia (25)
  3. Keith Mitchell (25) 
  4. Adam Hadwin (34)
  5. Sam Burns (+39)

3. Strokes Gained: Total at Pete Dye Designs

TPC Sawgrass may be Pete Dye’s most famous design, and for good reason. The course features Dye’s typical shaved runoff areas and tricky green complexes.  Pete Dye specialists love TPC Sawgrass and should have a major advantage this week.

SG: Total (Pete Dye) per round over past 36 rounds:

  1. Patrick Cantlay (+2.02)
  2. Scottie Scheffler (+1.90)
  3. Min Woo Lee (+1.77) 
  4. Sungjae Im (+1.72)
  5. Brian Harman (+1.62) 

4. Strokes Gained: Ball Striking

Prototypical ball-strikers have dominated TPC Sawgrass. With past winners like Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Webb Simpson, Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas, it’s evident that golfers must be striking it pure to contend at THE PLAYERS.

SG: Ball Striking Over Past 24 Rounds

  1. Scottie Scheffler (+2.02)
  2. Tony Finau (+1.51)
  3. Tom Hoge (+1.48)
  4. Keith Mitchell (+1.38)
  5. Will Zalatoris (+1.18)

5. Par 5 Average

Par-5 average is extremely important at TPC Sawgrass. With all four of the Par-5s under 575 yards, and three of them under 540 yards, a good amount of the scoring needs to come from these holes collectively.

Par 5 Average Over Past 24 Rounds

  1. Scottie Schefler (+4.31)
  2. Erik Van Rooyen (+4.35)
  3. Doug Ghim (+4.34)
  4. Wyndham Clark (+4.34)
  5. Matt Fitzpatrick (+4.31)

6. Strokes Gained: Florida

We’ve used this statistic over the past few weeks, and I’d like to incorporate some players who do well in Florida into this week’s model as well. 

Strokes Gained: Florida over past 30 rounds:

  1. Scottie Schefler (+2.43)
  2. Erik Van Rooyen (+1.78)
  3. Doug Ghim (+1.78)
  4. Wyndham Clark (+1.73)
  5. Matt Fitzpatrick (+1.69)

7. Strokes Gained: Total on Courses with High Water Danger

With water everywhere at TPC Sawgrass, the blow-up potential is high. It can’t hurt to factor in some players who’ve avoided the “eject” button most often in the past. 

Strokes Gained: Total on Courses with High Water Danger over past 30 rounds:

  1. Scottie Schefler (+2.08)
  2. Rory McIlroy (+1.82)
  3. Tony Finau (+1.62)
  4. Patrick Cantlay (+1.51)
  5. Will Zalatoris (+1.49)

THE PLAYERS Championship Model Rankings

Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (25%), Total Driving (20%), SG: Total Pete Dye (14%), SG: Ball-striking (15%) SG: Par 5 (8%), SG: Florida (10%) and SG: High Water (8%).

  1. Scottie Scheffler 
  2. Shane Lowry 
  3. Tony Finau 
  4. Corey Conners
  5. Keith Mitchell
  6. Justin Thomas
  7. Will Zalatoris
  8. Xander Schauffele
  9. Cameron Young
  10. Doug Ghim
  11. Sam Burns 
  12. Chris Kirk
  13. Collin Morikawa
  14. Si Woo Kim
  15. Wyndham Clark

2024 THE PLAYERS Championship Picks

(All odds at the time of writing)

Patrick Cantlay +2500 (DraftKings):

Patrick Cantlay is winless since the 2022 BMW Championship but is undoubtedly one of the most talented players on the PGA Tour. Since the win at Wilmington Country Club, the 31-year-old has twelve top-10 finishes on Tour and is starting to round into form for the 2024 season.

Cantlay has done well in the most recent “signature” events this season, finishing 4th at Riviera for the Genesis Invitational and 12th at Bay Hill for the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The former Tour Championship winner resides in Jupiter, Florida and has played some good golf in the state, including finishing in a tie for 4th at the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational. His history at TPC Sawgrass has been up and down, but his best career start at The PLAYERS came last year when he finished in a tie for 19th.

Cantlay absolutely loves Pete Dye designed courses and ranks 1st in the field in Strokes Gained: Total on Dye tracks in his past 36 rounds. In recent years, he’s been excellent at both the RBC Heritage and the Travelers Championship. TPC Sawgrass is a place where players will have to be dialed in with their irons and distance off the tee won’t be quite as important. In his past 24, rounds, Cantlay ranks in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach.

Despite being winless in recent years, I still believe Cantlay is capable of winning big tournaments. As one of the only United States players to bring their best game to Marco Simone for the Ryder Cup, I have conviction that the former top amateur in the world can deliver when stakes are high.

Will Zalatoris +3000 (FanDuel):

In order to win at TPC Sawgrass, players will need to be in total control of their golf ball. At the moment, Will Zalatoris is hitting it as well as almost anyone and finally has the putter cooperating with his new switch to the broomstick style.

Zalatoris is coming off back-to-back starts where he absolutely striped the ball. He finished 2nd at the Genesis Invitational and 4th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational where his statistics were eye opening. For the week at Bay Hill, Zal gained 5.0 strokes on approach and 5.44 strokes off the tee.

Throughout the early part of his career, Zalatoris has established himself by playing his best golf in the strongest fields with the most difficult conditions. A tough test will allow him to separate himself this week and breakthrough for a PLAYERS Championship victory.

Shane Lowry +4000 (DraftKings):

History has shown us that players need to be in good form to win the PLAYERS Championship and it’s hard to find anyone not named Scottie Scheffler who’s in better form that Shane Lowry at the moment. He finished T4 at the Cognizant Classic followed by a solo third place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The fact that the Irishman contended at Bay Hill is a great sign considering he’s really struggled there throughout his career. He will now head to a different style of course in Florida where he’s had a good deal of success. He finished 8th at TPC Sawgrass in 2021 and 13th in 2022. 

Lowry ranks 6th in the field in approach in his past 24 rounds, 7th in Strokes Gained: Total at Pete Dye designed courses in his last 30 rounds, 8th in par 5 scoring this season, and 4th in Strokes Gained: Total in Florida over his past 36 rounds.

Lowry is a player who’s capable of winning big events. He’s a major champion and won another premier event at Wentworth as well as a WGC at Firestone. He’s also a form player, when he wins it’s typically when he’s contended in recent starts. He’s been terrific thus far in Florida and he should get into contention once again this week.

Brian Harman +8000 (DraftKings):

(Note: Since writing this Harman’s odds have plummeted to 50-1. I would not advise betting the 50).

Brian Harman showed us last season that if the course isn’t extremely long, he has the accuracy both off the tee and with his irons to compete with anyone in the world. Last week at Bay Hill and was third in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, gaining 5.54 strokes on the field in the category.

In addition to the strong iron play, Harman also gained strokes off the tee in three of four rounds. He’s also had success at Pete Dye tracks recently. He finished 2nd at last year’s Travelers Championship and 7th at the RBC Heritage.

It would be a magnificent feat for Harman to win both the Open Championship and PLAYERS in a short time frame, but the reality is the PGA Tour isn’t quite as strong as it once was. Harman is a player who shows up for the biggest events and his odds seem way too long for his recent track record.

Tony Finau +6500 (FanDuel):

A few weeks ago, at the Genesis Invitational, I bet Hideki Matsuyama because I believed it to be a “bet the number” play at 80-1. I feel similarly about Finau this week. While he’s not having the season many people expected of him, he is playing better than these odds would indicate.

This season, Tony has a tied for 6th place finish at Torrey Pines, a tied for 19th at Riviera and tied for 13th at the Mexico Open. He’s also hitting the ball extremely well. In the field in his past 24 rounds, he ranks 3rd in Strokes Gained: Approach, 3rd in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking, 6th in Par 5 average and 15th in Total Driving.

Finau’s problem has been with the putter, which has been undeniably horrific. However, this week he will see a putting surface similar to the POA at TPC Scottsdale and PGA West, which he’s had a great deal of success on. It’s worth taking a stab at this price to see if he can have a mediocre week with the flat stick.

Sungjae Im +9000 (FanDuel):

It’s been a lackluster eighteen months for Sungjae, who once appeared to be a certain star. While his ceiling is absolutely still there, it’s been a while since we’ve seen Im play the type of golf expected of a player with his talent.

Despite the obvious concerns, the South Korean showed glimpses of a return to form last week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He tied for 18th place and gained strokes off the tee, on approach, around the green and with the putter. When at his best, Im is a perfect course fit for TPC Sawgrass. He has remarkable precision off the tee, can get dialed in with his irons on shorter courses and can get up and down with the best players on Tour.

This number has gotten to the point where I feel comfortable taking a shot on it.

Billy Horschel +20000 (FanDuel):

Billy Horschel is a great fit on paper for TPC Sawgrass. He can get dialed in with his irons and his lack of distance off the tee won’t be a major detriment at the course. “Bermuda Billy” does his best work putting on Bermudagrass greens and he appears to be rounding into form just in time to compete at The PLAYERS.

In his most recent start, Billy finished in a tie for 9th at the Cognizant Classic and hit the ball extremely well. The former Florida Gator gained 3.32 strokes on approach and 2.04 strokes off the tee. If Horschel brings that type of ball striking to TPC Sawgrass, he has the type of putter who can win a golf tournament.

Horschel has been great on Pete Dye designed courses, with four of his seven career PGA Tour wins coming on Dye tracks.

In a season that has seen multiple long shots win big events, the 37-year-old is worth a stab considering his knack for playing in Florida and winning big events.

 

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