2022 Players Championship: Top 10 power rankings at TPC Sawgrass
I’m in the camp that the Players Championship is not the fifth major as others may try to impose. They may stake this claim in seriousness or, more likely, derisively.
The fields are consistently one of, if not the, best we see every year. At least top to bottom. There are no PGA professionals, no amateurs, or aged past champions to bog down the field strength.
The purse just jumped from $15 to $20 million with the winner cashing a cool $3.6 million. That ups the ante in the arms race between the Players and the four majors.
Seeing a demanding test of golf every year with a signature hole like No. 17 is a great way to build memories over the year with fans.
But, much to the chagrin of the PGA Tour, it can’t conjure up the institutional history and importance of the Big Four.
The four major championships were well established before the Players hit the scene in 1974. The event has grown and grown, but we can’t get too carried away.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
With that diatribe aside, here are some nuts and bolts to go through before diving into the power rankings.
TPC Sawgrass’ Stadium Course has hosted the Players since 1982. What was once a piece of land that was more shaggy and natural looking now epitomizes lush, green stereotypical American golf.
That’s a good or bad change, depending on who you ask.
Pete Dye is the Stadium course architect, with assistance, of course, to wife Alice, who came up with the idea for the par-3 17th island green hole.
The short hole is a wedge for most players these days, but the green looks like a postage stamp on even the best of days. Plenty of tournaments are won and lost here, but the course isn’t overly forgiving elsewhere.
Dye is known for creating blind shots, especially off the tees. It’s an execution test that requires players to focus on game plan and execution. It’s hard to freewheel it around here, as water, wind and thick rough are just part of the equation that frustrate players who may just be a tad off.
A wide variety of playing styles can get it done here. There are areas where a distance advantage can be flexed, but relying too much on driver can backfire.
The Stadium course measures around PGA Tour average at 7,189 yards for a par 72.
Stats to watch include bogey avoidance, strokes gained approach, and par-5 scoring. If you can get your hands on putting stats on Bermuda grass, that can also come in handy.
There’s a field of 144 players assembled vying to make the traditional 36-hole cut of top 65 and ties.
At time of writing, every player in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings are in the field, as well as almost the entire top 100.
The highest-ranked absence is No. 12 Bryson DeChambeau, who has missed time recently with a wrist injury.
No. 45 Phil Mickelson is also out. I can’t see why he wouldn’t want to feel the warm welcome of PGA Tour headquarters nearby!
Temperatures forecast to be favorable in the 60s and 70s until a possible cold snap drops it down into the 40s and 50s Sunday. The final round might be dry, but rain is possible Tuesday through Saturday.
Keep an eye on that as you pick your DFS lineups and place wagers.
Without further delay,. here’s the top 10.