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A21
SPORTS Thursday 14 March 2019

Same tournament, new

course with Players

moving to March

By DOUG FERGUSON AP champions like Woods and
Golf Writer Greg Norman, or Fred Funk
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. and Hal Sutton when it was
(AP) — Justin Thomas has held in March. Moved to
played the 15th hole at May, the winners have simi-
The Players Championship larly varied games, wheth-
some 20 times, but never er it was Phil Mickelson and
this early in the year. That's Jason Day, or Tim Clark and
why he turned to his cad- K.J. Choi.
die for some last-minute Woods is the only player to
advice during a practice win in March and May. He
round. has done a lot of things no
"We don't have to worry one else has.
about going through the It all starts to unfold on
fairway, right?" he asked Thursday, with only 23 play-
Jimmy Johnson. ers having experienced
The field is as strong as ever, the March conditions be-
with everyone from the top fore the move to May in
50 in the world ranking in 2007. Woods and Adam
the 144-man field. The prize Scott are the only players
money is richer than ever at Sawgrass who have won
at $12.5 million, with $2.25 The Players when it was in
million going to the winner. March.
And it would seem to be "I think we're in for a good
the same Stadium Course challenge this week," Scott
at the TPC Sawgrass that said. "It's not brutally diffi-
has hosted the PGA Tour's cult, but if the wind blows,
signature event since 1982. it's going to play tough."
But it's not. Heavy rain earlier in the
A move to March changes week made the fairways
everything. even softer and speckled
The Players Championship some golf balls with mud —
has gone green, with rye something else rarely seen
overseed making it lush, in May — but Scott noticed Tiger Woods laughs after putting on the fifth hole during a practice round at The Players Champi-
green and longer than the difference immediate- onship golf tournament, Wednesday, March 13, 2019, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
when it was held in May on ly. Associated Press
Bermuda grass that could "I hit a 5-iron into the first
be fast and fiery. The pre- hole," he said. "I have hit 1 in the world and has 20 holes on Wednesday, had that part of it. And no, you
vailing wind can come out anything but a 9-iron or a victories for his career. one of those moments that can't really play poorly and
of an entirely different di- wedge in there for 12 years. Johnson, coming off a five- Scott described. During his win this event. I think we
rection, which can make A lot of other holes are like shot victory in Mexico City practice round on Tuesday, all have to accept that
that island green on the that, too. So if it does firm three weeks ago, has never he hit a 3-wood bullet off you're going to hit good
par-3 17th look a little small- up a little bit, even if you're finished higher than a tie for the tee, just like always. But shots, and going to get
er. hitting 7-iron into the first, I 12th in his 10 starts. He has instead of hitting 9-iron, he some weird hopes, and get
"I've been between 6-iron think it's going to require only five rounds in the 60s. went with a 3-iron. some really, really funky lies
and 5-iron on 17 to hit the some really good driving "Just judging the distance, One thing hasn't changed whether it's off the fairway
shot," Tiger Woods said. and some really good irons. balls going miles and would as far as Woods is con- or around the greens."
"Not too many people I think it's a great test." never stop in the fairways," cerned. No one played better last
can say that unless they've Dustin Johnson is among Johnson said. "I feel like "It's a very simple formula year than Webb Simpson,
played in March." those who look forward to good shots weren't always here: Hit it good," Woods who built such a big lead
What hasn't changed is the move to March, even rewarded with the way the said. "It's not real compli- in tying the 54-hole record
handicapping the field. though he has only played course was playing. But cated. that he shot a 73 in the final
The TPC Sawgrass was re- this event in May. He hasn't yeah, I struggled. It was The golf course is one that round — the highest Sun-
nowned in any month for played it every well, not by frustrating, too." Pete (Dye) has set up to day score by a PGA Tour
not favoring any one style his standards or anyone Woods, who played nine intimidate you visually. winner last year — and still
of golf. It has produced else who has reached No. holes on Tuesday and nine You have to overcome won by four shots.q