Simpson Steals Sawgrass Show

Nobody would have predicted Webb Simpson strolling to victory at TPC Sawgrass. Well, not until he started Sunday seven strokes clear. Without a win in five years, the American was hardly a frontrunner, but a course record-equalling 63 on Friday, sandwiched between a 66 and 68, left the rest of the field chasing second spot. Whilst we always want to see a tournament of this magnitude go down to the wire, Simpson played three days of beautiful golf (and one day of understandably safe golf). A deserving champion.

Sunday Stories

Despite Simpson's commanding lead, Sunday was no dead rubber. Brooks Kopeka struck just the fourth albatross in PLAYERS history on the par-5 16th as he charged to the second course record-equalling round of the tournament, matching Webb Simpson's 63.

But the big story of the day was Tiger Woods, who went 72-71 to scrape inside the CUT with nothing to spare. He then roared to a seven-under 65 on Saturday to make things interesting. Like I said, the title was all-but decided before Sunday, but if one man could change that it was Tiger Woods on a hot streak. Tiger struck six birdies in twelve to raise a few eyebrows, although a bogey at the fourteenth killed off any hope. A double-bogey at the seventeenth reminded us that he's still not quite there yet- or not mentally at least- but a highly respectable -11 for T11 leaves us wondering what next.

Foremost Shortlist

Jason Day, Justin Thomas and Henrik Stenson.

Day topped the list with a solid week of golf which left him in T5 at -13; one stroke off Charl Schwartzel, Jimmy Walker & Xander Schauffele at T2. The Aussie once again putted sublimely and looked set for more after an eagle on the 9th put him four-under at the turn on Sunday, but nine consecutive pars on the home stretch still left him looking good for the week.

After opening with a one-over 73, Justin Thomas improved day-by-day in shooting 70-68-66 en route to -11. That opening round 73 included five birdies, but an erratic showing also produced four bogeys and a double. But whilst the early wobble cost him a shot at the tournament, a late wobble from Dustin Johnson did hand Thomas the World No. 1 spot. Things could be worse.

Henrik Stenson went below par every day as he finished -9 for T23. He looked good after opening with 68 but failed to kick on as the rest of the field posted low numbers over the weekend. Still, consistent and respectable in typical Stenson fashion.

Webb Simpson - What's in the Bag?

Driver: Titleist 917 D2

3 Wood: TaylorMade M2

5 Wood: Titleist 913

Hybrid: Titleist 913

Irons: Titleist 718 MB

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7

Putter: Odyssey Tank Cruiser V-Line

Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1

Plenty of talking points as always from THE PLAYERS Championship, with Tiger looking more like Tiger than he has in years, the crowning of a new World No. 1 and one of the most impressive wins in PLAYERS history.

Written by Joe Carabini

joe.carabini@foremostgolf.com