Florida Swing: Is TPC Sawgrass Offering A Welcome Respite?
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Garry Smits of the Florida Times Union talked to players still recovering from difficult tests at the Honda Classic and Arnold Palmer Invitational. And while no one has lost respect for the immaculately groomed TPC Sawgrass, host of this week’s Players, some of the bite sounds gone.
This from Denny McCarthy and super Jeff Plotts stood out:
“Believe it or not, this might be the easiest course on the Florida Swing because of the way the last two played and how [the Copperhead] is historically tough,” McCarthy said. “The weather looks good this week, so this one might not have the teeth of the others. But you still have to hit quality shots.”
TPC Sawgrass director of agronomy Jeff Plotts said he and his staff felt a bit of envy when watching the players struggle at PGA National and Bay Hill.
“We were laughing last week ... ’Why can we have that kind of wind this week,” Plotts said. “The best defense for a golf course against these guys is wind. They’re so good that if the wind doesn’t blow, they’re going to shoot good scores. We thought we were firming up, but then we got the rain [Monday morning] and the firmness of the course can erode with just the rain we got.”
For the wagering inclined, Jeff Sherman seems convinced there will a low winning score. And no weekend golf for Phil.
