Tour News
The Players Championship: Preview
The Players Championship, also known as golf’s unofficial fifth Major, is up next on the PGA schedule held at the famed TPC at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Fla.
Matt Kuchar comes back to defend his 2012 title, where he outlasted a bevy of big names cruising in with a 13-under par total of 275, good for a 2-stroke victory over challengers Ben Curtis, Rickie Fowler, Zach Johnson and Martin Laird. Kuchar’s only round in the 70s was his closing round of 70, where he had a cozy 2-stroke lead going in to the famed No. 18 without needing to do anything heroic in order to secure what amounted to the the biggest win of his career. Kuchar’s signature moment was sinking a sizable birdie putt on No. 17 in his final round, giving him the two-stroke lead going in to the legendary 18th hole where the margin of error gave him just the mental cushion he needed for the win on a hole that has famously brought others to their knees.
Click here to see a the clubs in Kuchar’s bag, and his “What’s in the Bag” interview with Sara Brown.
The Players Championship traditionally features one of the best fields in all of golf and this year is no different. All 10 of the top 10 players in the world will be in attendance — Tiger, Rory, Phil, Bubba, Lee, Dustin, Brandt, Sergio, and just about every other big name in golf all fighting for the winners’ share of $1.71 million. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that The Players Championship boasts the largest purse on the PGA Tour ($9.5 million) besting all four majors for prize money, hence the “Fifth Major” moniker.
Kuchar’s win last year was not the biggest story of the tournament, however. It was Round 3 leader Kevin Na who stole the show and started a national debate — but much of it for the wrong reasons. Na, leading after three days, was plagued by a paralyzing bout of nerves for much of the tournament. Na frequently found himself standing over his ball, waggling endlessly, seemingly unable to swing the club for spells at a time. Then, even stranger, he frequently swung what looked like a full “whiff” missing the ball completely — on purpose.
This brought about a national discussion regarding both slow play and much pondering about whether he should be penalized for missing the ball. Rules officials ultimately claimed that Na was purposely missing the ball much like a “practice swing,” and wasn’t assessed a penalty (he was assessed a warning for slow play, however). The on-course galleries voiced their displeasure about Na’s slow-play by jeering him as the tournament wore on. It was all too much in the end, and Na wilted to a 7th place finish with a closing round of 76.
Click here to read our full analysis of Na’s final round at TPC Sawgrass last year.
The Players Championship has been held at the famed Pete Dye-designed TPC Sawgrass Stadium course for the past 20 years. The course was originally opened in 1979, but Dye redesigned the track in 2006 in order to give it more teeth. The finishing two holes are considered two of the toughest closing holes on Tour, highlighted by arguably the most famous par-3 hole in the world. No. 17 is an imposing 137-yard always-intimidating island green that swallows golf balls like a dog swallows steak. From there, the course finishes with a challenging 447-yard par 4 with water running the length of the hole down the left side forcing the leaders to have a serious gut check when trying to close out for the win.
There has been foul weather in the area earlier in the week forcing the organizers to cancel early practice rounds. The rain should soften the course a little bit in the early going, which may keep the scores low. The weekend outlook is much brighter with only a small hint of rain expected on Friday.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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Marilyn Brandt
May 8, 2013 at 6:11 pm
Fun informative article!