The Players second-round notebook: Trevor Lawrence a popular sight; Scheffler hurting; Saturday sold out
The second round of The Players Championship is almost in the books at TPC Sawgrass. Fridayโs round was suspended due to darkness at 7:30 p.m. and will pick back up at 7:40 a.m. on Saturday morning. Only one group remains to finish. Here are some of the sights, sounds and notables from Friday.
Tee times for Fridayโs second round of The Players Championship
Friday is cut day at The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy share the first-round lead after carding 7-under 65s on Thursday. Hereโs a look at when golfers tee off Friday as cut day looms at the Stadium Course.
Jim and Tabitha Furyk Foundation tees up annual โThese Kids Can Playโ event
In 2008, the Jim and Tabitha Furyk Foundation spearheaded the creation of the These Kids Can Play event, aiming to offer children grappling with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions a safe haven to relish The Players Championship.
Countdown to The Players Championship is on: Tournament tees off in less than 40 days
Not long after Lee Smith arrived in Ponte Vedra Beach as the new executive director of The Players Championship, he found himself in a conversation with a local real estate agent when the conversation shifted to his line of work.
Charting golfers with area ties entering Mondayโs final round at The Players
Normally, it's the final round of The Players Championship, but weather postponements made Sunday cut day at TPC Sawgrass. The tournament had nearly a dozen golfers in the field with local ties to the area. How did those local golfers fare?
Thunderstorm pauses play for 4 hours in first round of The Players Championship
The start of The Players Championship has been delayed an hour Thursday morning because of thunderstorms and heavy rain overnight. That might just be the beginning of additional breaks in the action on the way because of the weather.
The Playersโ prestige continues to grow after 40 years at TPC Sawgrass
This year marks the 40th anniversary of The Players Championship moving into itโs permanent home at TPC Sawgrass. In 1982, Jerry Pate fired a final round 67 to beat Brad Bryant and Scott Simpson by two strokes, taking home $90,000 and a set of wet clothes after he dove into the water at 18 in celebration of his win.
One month out: Players Championship ready for return to normalcy
After a start and stop and then limited crowds, The Players Championship is back to doing what it does best. The event at TPC Sawgrass is 30 days away and will feel normal for the first time since Rory McIlroy edged Jim Furyk by a stroke in 2019. That feels like an eternity ago.
Match Play field set with possibilities that remain for more
Then, Brian Harman shot 69 to tie for third at The Players Championship and went from No. Most curious is the case of Gary Woodland, the former U.S. Open champion and a Match Play finalist in 2015. Under the PGA Tour guidelines, he has to self-isolate for 10 days. THE BOUNCEIt didnโt take Collin Morikawa long to learn how to win on the PGA Tour. A year later, he won a playoff over Justin Thomas at Muirfield Village and a major at the PGA Championship.
Woodland among 3 players to test positive for coronavirus
It matched the most players who have had to withdraw from one tournament because of a positive test since the PGA Tour returned from the COVID-19 pandemic in June. The tour said Scott Piercy and Doc Redman also tested positive. Three players also tested positive before tournaments at the RSM Classic at Sea Island in November, and the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit in early July. The positive tests follow two weeks of the Florida events on the PGA Tour allowing limited fans, with roughly 8,000 in attendance at Bay Hill and The Players Championship. Woodland, who won the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and has been coping with a torn labrum in his hip, and Redman missed the cut at The Players Championship.
Playing in hometown was โamazingโ for Nease grad Tyler McCumber
Nease High grad Tyler McCumber finished T-22 at The Players Championship on Sunday. Poston, St. Simons Island, Ga. T-35 Lanto Griffin, Ponte Vedra BeachGriffin couldnโt follow his 4-under third-round score on Sunday, grinding out a 1-over 73 day. T-41 Zach Johnson, St. Simons Island, Ga. T-58 Billy Horschel, Ponte Vedra BeachThe former University of Florida golfer was 2-over 74 on Sunday and finished 1-over 289 for the tournament.
Thomas lives on edge and rallies to win Players Championship
Thomas took on every shot in The Players Championship, right down to the 5-wood that rode the edge of the lake down the left side of the 18th fairway, and closed with a 4-under 68 for a one-shot victory over Lee Westwood. He won for the seventh straight year, his 14th career title, and became only the fourth player to win a major, The Players Championship, the FedEx Cup and a World Golf Championship. โThis week was huge to win a big championship like this in front of fans again, which is incredible. Thomas was four shots behind when he walked off the green on the par-3 eighth with a three-putt bogey. He was outside the cut line after nine holes Friday, made it with two shots to spare and then tied The Players Championship record with a 12-under 132 weekend.
Back nine surge delivers Justin Thomas Players Championship title
Thomas navigated the closing nine at the Stadium Course in spectacular fashion, storming back to win The Players Championship on a postcard perfect Sunday. Thomas had a final-round 68 and finished 14-under 274 to win by a stroke over Lee Westwood. Iโm so happy theyโre back and Iโm so happy to be The Players champion,โ Thomas said. Thomas grinded his way through the front nine in the final round and made the turn at even. โThatโs why heโs one of the best players in the world and will continue to be one of the best players in the world for a long time.โ
Westwood leads at Sawgrass, gets another shot at DeChambeau
That's how it was last week at Bay Hill, when DeChambeau came from one shot behind to beat Westwood with a par on the final hole at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Westwood, who turns 48 next month, no longer has to go up a few classes to face DeChambeau, golf's fearsome heavyweight. Also four shots behind was Brian Harman, who began his day by holing a wedge for eagle and shot 69. DeChambeau can't blast away at Sawgrass because of the bending tree-lined fairways and water hazards. He also knows from recent experience โ seven days ago โ that it might not be easy the way Westwood is playing.
Dustin Johnson decides again not to go to Japan for Olympics
Dustin Johnson watches his tee shot on the ninth hole during the second round of the The Players Championship golf tournament Friday, March 12, 2021, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)One year later didn't make Dustin Johnson change his mind. Johnson said he didn't put forward his name to be among the maximum of four Americans who can play in the Olympics. I actually didn't really ever decide whether I was going to play or not, I just didn't sign up,โ Johnson said Saturday. That's 11 days after the British Open at Royal St. George's in England, and a World Golf Championship, which Johnson has won, is the week after the Olympics. โAs long as I can compete, I'll be there.โAdEven with Johnson playing, the Americans still have 10 other players among the top 15 with three months โ and three majors โ remaining before qualifying ends.
The Players recognizes Ronald McDonald House Jacksonville as charity of day
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. โ The Players Championship tournament partner Grant Thornton selected the Ronald McDonald House Charities Jacksonville chapter to be the charity of the day on Saturday. Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville offers a โhome away from homeโ for children and their families who must travel to Jacksonville for pediatric medical care. Each family receives vital services such as meals and transportation, lodging and a community of careDiane Boyle, executive director of Ronald McDonald House, said she is grateful to have the communityโs support. โThe Players have helped us achieve our goals by helping raise awareness of the mission and how we help families,โ said Boyle. Importantly, they will see the extraordinary impacts that The Players have on the nonprofit community in Jacksonville.โAdFor more information on Ronald McDonald House Jacksonville, click here.
The Players invites dozens of First Tee families a day to enjoy tournament
A student from First Tee - North Florida enjoys a day at The Players Championship. PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. โ Thanks to sponsor Optum, The Players Championship is providing 75 tickets for participants and families from First Tee โ North Florida for each day of the tournament. First Tee โ North Florida is an organization for youth development serving more than 150,000 young people, teaching them life skills through the game of golf. โThey teach things about the nine core values, so responsibility, courtesy, confidence. โIโm really grateful for Optum to partner up so we can get tickets,โ Mombo said.
Nease grad Tyler McCumber makes cut, heads to weekend in 1st Players
Tyler McCumber plays a shot on the 14th hole during the second round of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass on March 12, 2021 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Tyler McCumber had a stellar second round at The Players Championship on Friday and made the cut in his first appearance in the tournament. Heโs the first Nease golfer since Jeff Klauk in 2009 to make the cut at The Players. Klauk, whose father, Fred, was the course superintendent at TPC Sawgrass, finished T-14 that year. Len Mattiace had top-five finishes in 1998 and 2000 at TPC Sawgrass, going T5 and T9, respectively in those years.
Better with age? Westwood takes lead at Players Championship
Westwood, who turns 48 next month, played well enough to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week at Bay Hill except that DeChambeau was one shot better in a fascinating duel of generations on a course that favors power. AdโI think to compete in any of these tournaments against the best players in the world, you canโt have any weaknesses in your game,โ Westwood said. "I wouldnโt be able to say Iโm doing this better or that better. His 36-hole total of 154 was his highest ever in his 11 appearance at The Players Championship. AdFour players from the top 10 in the world missed the cut โ Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Tyrrell Hatton and Webb Simpson, whose hopes ended with one of 13 balls in the water at the island-green 17th.
Urban Meyer catches Fridayโs round at Players Championship
AdโI donโt think Iโve ever played it, just played it (not in a tournament),โ Meyer said of the Stadium Course. So why would you not be here if you had the best facilities, best trainers, best coaches and best nutrition, all of the above. โI donโt know that [about playing overseas this year]. This year I donโt know because of COVID. I donโt know.โ
Ready to enjoy sun and fun in Jacksonville Beach? Donโt forget plastic for parking
If you are, just a reminder that, starting today, paid parking will be enforced in Jacksonville Beach. The paid parking program of the city of Jacksonville Beach begins March 12, 2021, and will end on Nov. 1, 2021. There are three kiosks are at the Pier lot at 503 1st Street North; three kiosks in the Latham Plaza Lot at 14 1st Street North, two kiosks in the lot at 422 1st Street North, and one kiosk is located in the lot at 450 2nd Street North. AdCity of Jacksonville Beach residents park for free if they have registered their license plates with the Jacksonville Beach Police Department. Paid parking program hours are Friday through Sunday and select holidays from 8 p.m. Friday until 2 a.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. Saturday until 2 a.m. Sunday; and 10 a.m. Sunday until midnight.
Stricker gets last-minute start and holds his own at Players
Steve Stricker plays a shot on the fifth hole during the first round of THE PLAYERS Championship on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 11, 2021 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. โ Steve Stricker was planning to spend the week at his winter home in Naples. John Huh took his name off the alternate list. Stricker said the flight to St. Augustine took about 30 minutes, and by that time, Rose had withdrawn. The PGA Tour had a car waiting for him to drive about 30 minutes to the course.
โPretty awesomeโ: Tyler McCumber cards even par in first-ever round at Players
Tyler McCumber plays a shot on the fourth hole during the first round of The Players Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 11, 2021 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. โ Tyler McCumberโs first round in The Players Championship was a success. McCumber, a Nease High and University of Florida graduate, shot an even-par 72 in his debut at TPC Sawgrass. โI didnโt really know what my first round at The Players would feel like, but it was pretty awesome,โ McCumber said. โHe came out of his office yesterday talking golf, and I said, โyou know the rule, no golf when weโre away from the course,โโ Tyler said.
Big finish sends Garcia to big lead at Players Championship
Garcia thought he had plenty of time to get from the range to the 10th tee to start his round. Then he fired off a 7-under 65, capped off by a birdie-birdie-eagle finish for a two-shot lead over Brian Harman. AdWhen darkness brought the first round to a halt โ 21 players didn't finish โ there already were 13 scores of 80 or higher. โFor some reason, it just kind of fits my eye,โ said Garcia, who won The Players in 2008 and has twice been runner-up. British Open champion Shane Lowry took bogey on his final hole for a 68 and was tied with Corey Conners and Matt Fitzpatrick.
The Players volunteer spotlight: Things have changed quite a bit for Nichols
The legion of volunteers at The Players Championship are one of the most integral parts of the event. Things have changed for Nancy Nichols at The Players Championship. Now in her 45th year as a volunteer for the tournament and serving as the chairman on the gallery management committee, Nichols started out pretty basic. When the event was first played in Ponte Vedra Beach, it was called the Tournament Players Championship and held at Sawgrass Country Club. With the reduced crowds, Nichols said that there are only 451 volunteers on the course for gallery management in 2021.
Jacksonville high schoolers introduced to career opportunities during forum at The Players
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The Players Championship held its annual โTraining U Education Forumโ on Wednesday, where 50 Jacksonville-area high school student-athletes were introduced to career opportunities beyond the sports they play. Students in the forum got to hear from stars including pro golfer Harold Varner, Olympic medalist Shannon Miller and Wimbleton finalist MaliVai Washington. The Training U Forum was an open panel discussion where students learned about other job opportunities in the sports industry. The PGA also gave these student athletes the opportunity to go behind the scenes of their flagship event, The Players. Raines High School golfer Darionna May says this exposure to athletes, general managers and sports correspondents, really opened her eyes to other opportunities.
The Players volunteers ready for big challenge
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. โ One of the components that powers The Players is the massive volunteer force that turns out each year. And every year, there is a new Volunteer Chairman who oversees the other Red Coats on the volunteer committee and the thousands of volunteers underneath them. But as you mentioned, safety and health of everyone involved, whether it be the fans, the volunteers, or the players, is itโs going to remain our number one priority this year. โWeโve developed safety and health protocols so that we can present the tournament in a safe, responsible manner,โ Smith said. โNormally weโd meet once a month with staff leading up to the tournament, as we get closer to the tournament we meet every weekend.
Tyler McCumber ready to make his own memories at The Players
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. โ Tyler McCumber has more memories at TPC Sawgrass than he can count. But McCumber wanted his next memory to be of him actually competing in The Players Championship. McCumber and Nease won the Class 2A state championship in 2007. Bartram Trailโs Julian Suri, also a current professional golfer, won back-to-back individual state championships during that time. And being in the gallery when Funk won, McCumber knows the pride that locals feel when a hometown golfer succeeds.
The Players tees up big surprise for young cancer patients
Baptist Health gave Bender Middlekauff tickets for him, his family and friends to attend The Players Championship. But little did he know that when they got there, heโd wind up meeting his favorite professional golfer, Justin Thomas. โHe called me out by my name at the 16th tee: โYouโre Bender, right?โ I was like, โYeah, youโre Justin Thomas. 25-year-old @BaptistHealthJx cancer patient, Bender Middlekauff, met his favorite player pro golfer Justin Thomas at @THEPLAYERSChamp. @wjxt4 pic.twitter.com/fZ9vG0BFGr โ Brittany Muller (@BrittMullerNews) March 10, 2021Another young cancer patientโs dream was fulfilled Wednesday with an invitation to The Players from his favorite golfer, Dustin Johnson.