PLAYERS Championship 2020: Our Top Tips (& Selected Tee Times)
As we start counting down to the start of major season with The Masters less than a month away, this week sees the game's 'unofficial fifth major' - THE PLAYERS Championship - take place at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida, USA.
To help build-up to what promises to be a fascinating four days' play, here at Hole19 HQ we've been considering the players we expect big things from and who could be in with a big chance this week. Check out our tips, and their R1 & R2 tee times, below.
Sungjae Im
8:13 a.m (T) 1.18 p.m (F) w/ Woodland & DeChambeau
The South Korean is a golfing superstar in the making. Few are playing more consistent golf at this stage and he looks primed for another tilt at a second PGA Tour win after coming out on top at The Honda Classic little over a week ago.
He came up just short last time out at Bay Hill when attempting to go two-from-two. Great ball-striking and steely nerve on the greens is a killer combination and Sungjae has displayed both in spades over the past few weeks. The fact that he never misses a week could be seen as a double-edged sword, but we like his chances this week.
Check out the swing analysis below to see just why Sungjae is so super-consistent.
Rory McIlroy
1:51 p.m (T) 8.46 (F) w/ Koepka & Rahm
It seemed to be a case of déjà vu at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday past for Rory. Over recent months, the Northern Irishman has failed to get over the line during his final round having been in prime position when signing his card on Saturday.
His level of consistency is truly next level with finishes within the top five in his past seven events, and with two victories in his last 11. It's a no-brainer - Rory's on our list.
Catch Rory's best ever shots at TPC Sawgrass below.
Bryson DeChambeau
1:51 p.m (T) 8.46 (F) w/ McIlroy & Rahm
As with Rory, Bryson DeChambeau's recent performances have impressed. Despite being without a win since early 2019 the current world number 13 will arrive at TPC Sawgrass firmly in with a shout of a sixth PGA Tour win - and he's still only 26.
He was within the top-4 for ball striking in his last three starts and seems to have the mentality to carry that great form through THE PLAYERS Championship and further into major season. He's a possible maiden major champion this year, but for now we expect a good showing this week in the Floridian sun.
One of Bryson's best rounds of 2020 came at the WGC-Mexico Championshp where he shot an 8-under, 63.
Gary Woodland
8:13 a.m (T) 1.18 p.m (F) w/ Im & DeChambeau
Though he's failed to visit the winner's circle since his major win at Pebble Beach last year, Gary Woodland has managed to play some pretty impressive golf and it seems that a win is just around the corner.
His best finish at TPC Sawgrass is 11th but he has posted a decent number of top-10s in the last few months. Worth a look at pretty high odds.
It's been a while since the triumph at Pebble, so here's a reminder.
Marc Leishman
9.08 a.m (T) & 2.13 p.m (F) w/ Poston & Molinari
Impressed last week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational to finish a single stroke behind eventual winner Tyrrell Hatton and he has already managed a 2020 victory after his exploits that the Farmers Insurance Open back in January.
When he gets on a run he can be a very dangerous opponent so it's conceivable that Leishman could put a run together this week in Florida
Putts like this one last time out would help greatly this week.
Tommy Fleetwood
2.02 p.m (T) 8.57 a.m w/ Snedeker & Furyk
The missed cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last time out may not have been what the Englishman was after, but it will have provided extra time to get ready for the test presented by TPC Sawgrass this week. Previously the signs had been good of a first ever PGA Tour win, though there could be a little mental scarring from his near miss at The Honda Classic.
We're hoping Tommy can bounce back to put himself into a good position once again.
Tommy took on a 'one-club challenge' with golf Youtuber Rick Shiels recently. Check it out below.
You can find all other round 1 and round 2 tee times here.
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