[read The Ides of March] [read Round 2]
Freelance Writer
(March 12, 2019)
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl.—The Ides of March are upon us once again as the world’s best prepare for the vagaries of late winter weather in the Players Championship for the first time since 2006. The tournament, which traditionally boasts the best field of the year, was moved to May in 2006.
Before that, mayhem often struck late on Sunday afternoons when the barometric pressure combines with that on a player’s innards to cause more calamities than Jane herself.
Two-time champion Tiger Woods is one of 24 players in the field who have competed in the “fifth major’’ during both months. He’s seen the meteorological nightmares prevalent in March transform the TPC Sawgrass from Jekyll to Hyde in the short walk from the 16th green to the tee box on the signature 17th hole.
The difference is palpable.
“It’s soft, it’s wet,’’ said Woods, who says he’s experiencing no ill effects from a strained neck that forced him to skip the Arnold Palmer Invitational this past week. “We had the rain last night, and (today) we were getting mud balls and it’s back to how it used to play.’’
He vividly recalls rare firm and fast conditions on the weekend in 1999 that tested the patience of even the top players of the day.
“It’s just so much slower (in March), and it’s not as warm,’’ Woods said. “The ball doesn’t fly as far, and the golf course just plays slower. The only year I remember it being just brutally hard and fast was when David (Duval) won. ’99 I think it was. I believe I shot 75-75 on the weekend and moved up.’’
Duval finished the tournament at three-under-par compared to Webb Simpson’s winning total of 18-under achieved in four days of hot and humid weather. His win, however, is memorable for more than the tough conditions. His father Bob won on the Champions Tour that same day, making the Duvals the only father and son winners on the same day in Tour history.
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When asked if he thought players who have played the course in March have an advantage, Woods said, “Knowing the fact that I’ve been between 6-iron and 5-iron on (the par three) 17 to hit the shot, not too many people can say that unless they’ve played in March.
For the uninitiated, 17 usually requires a pitching wedge or 9-iron for average players in favorable conditions.
Woods is making only his fourth start this season. He said the problem (described as a stiffness) with his neck began at the Genesis Open and worsened, which caused him to miss the Arnold Palmer Invitational, a tournament he has won eight times.
Despite the WD, he figures his game is rounding into shape for the Masters.
“I’ve played three tournaments this year and that’s about right,’’ Woods said. “I was going to play three or four…My finishes are getting a little bit better (T20, T15, T10) each and every time I’ve gone out so far this year. And I’ve gotten a little bit more consistent with my play. I think that everything is headed on track towards April.’’
He recently worked with Justin Thomas’ putting coach Matt Killen in an effort to find his putting touch which has been missing in action so far.
“I wanted him to take a look at it,’’ Woods said. “And then he mentioned a few things. As I started to feel a little better this past week, the putting definitely freed up.’’
Woods is paired with defending champion Webb Simpson and Patrick Reid in the first round.
The weather report calls for a temperature in the low 70s when they tee off at 1:27 p.m. The expected high on Saturday and Sunday is in the low-mid 60s with cloudy skies.
Add to the mix a touch of northerly wind and those closing holes where water comes into play could have the players lobbying for a return to May.
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OF THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP BY PETE McDANIEL
ABOUT PETE McDANIEL
Pete McDaniel is a veteran golf writer and best-selling author. His blogs and books are available at petemcdaniel.com
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