The biggest names in golf will descend on Florida’s TPC Sawgrass this week for the 2014 Players Championship and Sky Sports once again has all four days exclusively live.
Often described as the ‘fifth Major’, this lucrative tournament offers a staggering prize purse of ten million dollars and remains one of the elite events on the world golf calendar.
With a first prize of $1.8m – the biggest of the year – it is no wonder that only injury or illness keep the star names away.
This year defending champion and world No 1 Tiger Woods is on the injured list along with Australian Jason Day, so it’s Rory McIlroy and 2004 Players champion Adam Scott who head the field in Florida.
Woods triumphed for the second time at Sawgrass last year, finishing two shots clear and taking his PGA Tour title tally to an incredible 78.
Sergio Garcia seemed likely to force a play-off until putting two tee-shots in the water at the 17th and effectively handing Woods the win.
The Spaniard ended up six shots back, while Swede David Lingmerth shared second place with American pair Kevin Streelman and Jeff Maggert.
The Florida event moved from March to May in 2007 and, of course, features one of the most recognisable holes in golf – the 17th.
In theory it’s just a short par three but the fact that it’s an island hole surrounded by water and exposed to wind makes it a severe mental test, especially on the weekend when the stakes rise.
Those most troubled by the hole include Phil Mickelson, who has dumped seven balls in the water there since 2003.
Two of the last six Players Championships have gone to a play-off and the excitement levels will be heightened if we get extra holes again this year.
In a new move that fans will relish, the tournament has switched to a three-hole play-off featuring the par five 16th, where an eagle is possible, the nerve-jangling par three 17th and the tough par four 18th.
Sky Sports will be screening all four days live from TPC Sawgrass as the world’s top golfers battle for the prestigious Players Championship title.
David Livingstone presents live from the course alongside Sky Sports regular and top PGA Tour coach Butch Harmon.
Ewen Murray and Rob Lee will lead the commentary team alongside Colin Montgomerie, Paul McGinley, the 2014 European Ryder Cup captain and Mark Roe.
Reports and interviews with the big name players will come from Tim Barter and Sarah Stirk.
Coverage will be available to watch online via Sky Go, plus there will be live text commentaries and leaderboards via skysports.com/golf.
There is also live updates and opinion from the course courtesy of @SkySportsGolf on Twitter.
PGA.COM COURSE GUIDE LEADERBOARD TEE TIMES
.
