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At the beginning of the week, we made reference to Henrik Stenson’s good record around Sawgrass but were worried that he had shown no form this season and therefore could not back him. Boy were we wrong! Stenson stormed to victory with a superb 66 on the last day. On Saturday Stenson moved up the leaderboard and we said (albeit not published) that Stenson would be difficult to shake once near the top. He is a player who is super-cool under pressure and he displayed this to the World yesterday. We all knew he had the potential but yesterday, Stenson put himself up there with the best of the World. With his first US PGA Tour title under his belt, you can expect to see Stenson push on from here and move up those world rankings. With Fanny on the bag, it looks like a very formidable team.

Of our tips, Ian Poulter was superb all week and really gave us a run for our money. Unfortunately he just came up against a better golfer this week in Henriik Stenson. However, some have told me that Poulter was as high as 70/1 so if you backed him way on out recommendation, congratulations.

Of the others we mentioned, all of them made the cut but Phil Mickelson disappointed somewhat, while Stephen Ames faded away somewhat toward the end of the week. Luke Donald had a steady rather than spectacular week and so finished outside the places also.

We get golf would like to commiserate with Alex Cjeka who had a terrible final round. It’s never nice to see a professional fall away so badly on what was probably the biggest final day of his career. Hopefully, Cjeka can bounce back quickly.

Finally, the great Tiger Woods roared into contention on Saturday before fading like a kitten yesterday. We Get Golf have been highlighting his errant long game now for some time. While Woods keeps complaining of his putting, he must surely realise that it is his erratic long game that is putting so much pressure on his short game. All the same, you feel that such is the competitive spirit of Tiger Woods, that a win is not far off. We Get Golf have been right up to know to warn you off backing him but this tide will turn, so keeping checking back for all our most recent posts.

Tags: Players Championship - Sawgrass, Videos by admin
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So, there you are, hot pizza on the table in front of you and you are lounging on the couch with a cold beer in your hand, all set to watch the 2009 PLAYERS Championship when all of a sudden, there is a power cut, or the TV explodes or your wife/husband demands you bring him/her out for a meal or the kids need to be looked after….whatever the reason, you simply missed the golf from the PLAYERS Championship. Although not a tragedy, it’s not far off because it was golf of the highest caliber. Here at We Get Golf, well we just don’t like you to miss your golf so below, we have included highlights not only from the 2nd round and not only from the 3rd round but also the 4th round!!

So crack open the beer (albeit only one), settle back and watch these three videos. When you are finished them, guess what??? Im going to include more for you!!

I don’t know, sometimes I just think I do too much for you!

Tags: Players Championship - Sawgrass, Videos by admin
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The first round of the PLAYERS Championship 2009 has seen some great scoring as we approach midway through the tournament. Currently, Alex Cejka is the surprise leader, way out on 11 under par, after a adding a second round 67 to his superb opening 66.  He leads by 4 shots from Kevin Na, Angel Cabrera, Jason Dufner, David Mallinger and Richard S.Johnson.

We gave you 4 tips at the start of the tournament and so far, they have had mixed fortunes. Phil Mickelson has been strangely subdued thus far. He birdied his final hole today, which should just about ensure he is there for the weekend. At level par, he will need to shoot a low score tomorrow to have any chance of winning. However, I wouldn’t back against Phil Mickelson to do this.

Ian Poulter had a great opening round of 67 and the news gets better out on the course as he has birdied his second hole to lie on 6 under par and very much in contention. Stephen Ames was 4 under with 5 holes to go yesterday but faltered somewhat. Nevertheless, at 3 under par after completing his second round, he remains well in the hunt for a top 10 finish. Our final tip, Luke Donald was disappointing yesterday. He shot a 74 after having an 8 on the par 5 second hole. To make the cut, Donald will have to shoot a 70 today. He is currently level for the day after his opening 3 holes.

Elsewhere, Camillo Villegas and Paul Casey are in the clubhouse on -5 while Henrik Stenson and David Toms are on the same score out on the course. Padraig Harrington it seems is safely through to the weekend on Level par but will be disappointed as he was -2 with 8 holes to go, including two par-5’s. Tiger Woods is again struggling somewhat on a course he has failed to impress on too often. He is Level Par after 6 holes of his second round.

Tags: Players Championship - Sawgrass by admin
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Sergio Garcia defends the PLAYERS Championship this week in Ponte Verda Florida at Sawgrass, a course not far behind Augusta in terms of beauty and class. Known as the unofficial 5th major, it offers exemptions into majors etc and is one the pro’s all want to win. Garcia last year defeated Paul Goydos in a playoff to finally show some of the promise he possesses.

This year sees the return of Tiger Woods and needless to say, he dominates the betting. At best priced 4/1, Woods will have plenty of followers this week and I must admit I was tempted. Woods is sure to win soon and after disappointing in the final round of the Quail Championship, he might feel like something he has something to prove this week. However, when you look at the previous performances of Woods here at the PLAYERS, it is less than spectacular. Woods did win the event in 2001 but has only had one top ten since then. Add to the fact that his putting, along with his long game is just not quite there at the moment and we think there is enough evidence to look elsewhere.

Other players we considered but eventually overlooked were Sean O’Hair (25/1), Geoff Ogilvy (30/1), Kenny Perry (33/1) and Jim Furyk (40/1). It wouldn’t surprise us if any of these were to win but we just feel like there are a few others out there offering excellent value. Indeed, from speaking with people and reading various commentary on the build up to the PLAYERS, Jim Furyk is many peoples fancy this week.

Padraig Harringon (45/1), Sergio Garcia (40/1) and Henrik Stenson (50/1) will be expected to fly the European flag high this week but unfortunately it is difficult to back either of them on current form. Harrington is in self destruct mode out there at the moment, Garcia is apparently on his third putter already this season and Stenson just hasn’t kicked into action yet.

So who do we fancy this week? Well by now you will probably know that we have huge admiration for Phil Mickelson (11/1), both in the way he conducts himself on the course and for his attacking play. We can honestly say we would prefer to watch 18 holes of Mickelson than Woods or any other golfer for that matter. But this is not a sentimental tip. Phil is on fire this year having won twice and added a host of top tens. He won the PLAYERS in 2007 and has made 7 consecutive cuts also here and so, at 11/1, we are sticking with him. We have tipped him twice this season already and he has been placed each time. Keep the faith this week and you might very well be rewarded.

Ian Poulter (60/1) is beginning to show some good form and had a strong finish last week at Quail Hollow. Poulter certainly has the talent but needs a breakthrough to convince everyone. He has made four out of five cuts at Sawgrass and had three consecutive top 30 finishes. He is also a solid iron player, a must for this week in our view. Has great each way credential here this week.

It is this emphasis on strong iron play that leads us to recommend you consider Luke Donald (40/1) also for an each way bet. He has also been in great form and we think he is one of the best iron players on tour these days. Combining all of this with odds of 40/1 mean we think he is a standout this week.

Finally, Stephen Ames can be got at 70/1. Ames won this event in 2006, finished fifth last year and was second in 2002. Around Sawgrass, this form cannot be ignored. We would be dubious as to his ability to win outright but 13/2 for a top-10 finish looks like value.

Verdict

Phil Mickelson (11/1) will have the top prize handed back to him by Garcia this year after he relinquished his title to the Spaniard last year but don’t be surprised if there is an English challenge from Ian Poulter or Luke Donald (35/1). Stephen Ames can claim a top ten finish at 13/2 to wrap up a great week.

Tags: Players Championship - Sawgrass by admin
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Are you looking forward to the Players this week? Man, we seriously cant wait. Its right up there with the majors in our eyes. Im sure you are all just as excited as I am but just in case you are not, here is a little video to whet the appetite.

Tomorrow, We Get Golf will be doing a full preview of who might strike it hot this week at the Players so dont miss it.

Tags: Players Championship - Sawgrass by admin
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If you read my last blog post, you will have leant of the emotions I went through last year on the 17th hole along with my brother Ian and father Jim. However, Im presuming you would much prefer to see the pro’s memories over the years so here they are in another video courtesy of the PGA’s video facility on YouTube….brilliant!

Tags: Players Championship - Sawgrass by admin
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The 17th hole in Sawgrass is now probably the most famous hole in golf. The island green has become an iconic hole, both for those who play golf and even for those who dont. I was fortunate enough to play the 17th hole last year on my trip to Sawgrass. Standing on the tee, I wasnt particularly phased with a 9-iron in my hand. However, as soon as I started my backswing, my mind filled with all sorts of notions. I managed to stay dry from the professional tees but then proceeded to dunk one in the water from the medal tees. We must have hit ten balls across to that tiny little green in search of that elusive hole in one….it wasnt to be unfortunately.

Anyway, here I am on the 17th, kness slightly flexed, club facing square at the target, feet aligned parallel to my square club face, back straight and head slightly elevated to allow my full shoulder turn. Keeping the lower body steady and rotating around from the hips I thought to myself….a nice fluid action, full swing, crisp strike…the thoughts continued. The ball would fly off the clubface, straight as a die…one bounce alongside the pin and then a bit of backspin…..2 feet from the hole. The crowd applauds, I fist pump and Woods marvels at me…..okay this is the dream land you enter as you get ready to hit.

Reality was more like this - I grip my nine iron so tightly it seems Ive made an indent into the grip. At 100mph I rush the club back, get it back half way before remembering the water…cant go left, cant go right, cant be long, cant be short….aaaagh, my brain wont stop sending me messages….quickly, get the club on the ball Im telling myself, so I do. I stop half way and swing as fast as I can downwards this time. The club meets the ball somewhere between the sweetspot and the hozzel. Ive mishit it and its leaking right….Im in trouble. No wait its hanging on. Get left, get down Im thinking…no wait, get up. I dont know….just land god damn you, I cant take this anymore. It lands a foot over the water and ends up 20ft from the hole…..eat you heart out Tiger!!

This is why its the greatest hole in golf and if you offered anyone on the Tour the result I had, regardless of whether its a beautiful shot or not, they would gladly take it this week at the Players Championship. Its a great hole, it really is. Some professionals say its too punishing at that stage of a Championship…….blah blah blah….you are paid to entertain so get on with it…..we all just want to see you put one in the water anyway.

So if Messrs Woods, Mickelson, Garcia et all do happen to put a ball in the water on 17 this week, I will have a sly little chuckle with my Dad and my brother and debate how much our shots onto the treacherous green last year would now be worth to them…..ahh, the memories.

Tags: Blog - Topical, Players Championship - Sawgrass by admin
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