First Tee

THE PLAYERS
May 8-11, 2008
Tournament #21 of 48
TPC Sawgrass [Ponte Vedra Beach, FL]
Par 36-36=72 – 7,215 yards
Course record: 63 – Fred Couples (1992), Greg Norman (1994)
Tournament record: 264 – Greg Norman (1994)
Purse: $9,000,000
Field size: 144
Cut: Top 70 & ties after 36 holes (if >78 golfers are tied after 54 holes, another cut of Top 70 & ties will occur)
Defending champion: Phil Mickelson (11-under, 67-72-69-69=277)


Course Scoring Averages – 2007

Round 1 – 75.413
Round 2 – 73.387
Round 3 – 71.063
Round 4 – 71.266


Starter

Once again, we are pleased to offer comprehensive coverage of a major golf tournament. Well, not a MAJOR major. In all caps, it's THE PLAYERS, with or without "CHAMPIONSHIP" attached to it.

As we did with the Masters preview, we are stepping enhancing our usual format this week to observe the PGA Tour's unofficial "fifth major." Boasting one of the best fields of the year, it offers viewers and competitors alike a finish unlike any other.

In this preview, golfers are slotted by World Ranking. The format serves as an educational tool in the fantasy preparation process. For example, for those of you that play fantasy golf for the bigger events only, you might be surprised to learn that Tim Herron is ranked 249th in the world. That should act as a red flag since Lumpy is no stranger to the fantasy game. He's had mixed results at THE PLAYERS but has had just one Top 10 overall since his 2006 Colonial victory, which will fall off his world ranking formula in two weeks. Herron isn't the only shocker in the field, as you will learn if you read it all. And, just like the Masters preview, I have four dark horses sprinkled in.

Without further yada-yada, here are the categories:

1) "Past Champions in Field" – 8 golfers
2) Others that have played in the event at least once – 122 golfers
3) First-timers – 14 golfers
4) BONUS - first 3 alternates.

Each mini-bio includes a "Projected" finish and "Rob's Riff." Be sure to check the Rotoworld.com Golf page for the latest news and updates before locking in your lineups.

TPC Sawgrass has trouble everywhere. Handicapping the field is rather difficult. Nine of the last 24 winners either led or shared the lead in GIR for the week. Daily leagues should pay attention to GIR stats after each round and apply them vigorously. While recent play is vital, the emphasis will be on ball-striking with extra credit to pedigree. TPC Sawgrass won't win the golf tournament like Augusta National claimed the Masters this year. And it's essentially the same course the field played in 2007.

Enjoy the tournament and thank you for clicking our way!


The Elements

The forecast could result in the same controversy that plagued the final round of the WGC-CA Championship. There is a threat of inclement weather every day but Saturday. Therefore, if the final round begins early to beat the afternoon storms, it would result in tape-delayed, television network coverage, something the tour and the network will do everything to avoid. Expect a gamble if the forecast holds because TPC Sawgrass is equipped with a SubAir system. Winds will be a slight factor throughout but shouldn't be pushing anyone off his shot. Temperatures will sit in the mid- to upper-80s all week.


In Defense

Phil Mickelson. See "Past Champions in Field" below.


Back-2-Back

Anthony Kim. See "World Ranking … 11-25" below.


Past Champions in Field

Phil Mickelson (2007)
WR: 2
$/Starts: 10/14
Projected: Top 5
Rob's Riff: None of the five multiple champions won in consecutive years. The closest anyone has come was when Tiger Woods finished 2nd in 2000, the year BEFORE he lifted the crystal. Does this matter? Not to Mickelson, for sure.

Adam Scott (2004)
WR: 3
$/Starts: 5/6
2007: T-6
Projected: Top 5
Rob's Riff: Putting together a great season now that the starts are piling up. He's back to #3 in the world, matching a career-best. He's #1 in the overall ranking and is easily putting well enough to contend this week, with or without the 48-footer at the Byron Nelson.

Stephen Ames (2006)
WR: 30
$/Starts: 5/9
2007: MC
Projected: 26+
Rob's Riff: He's plugging up the middle of the money list with forgettable finishes lately. That said, he's missed just one cut all year. Now 44 years of age, he might be descending just a tad. A great sell in money leagues.

Justin Leonard (1998)
WR: 35
$/Starts: 9/13
2007: MC
Projected: Top 25
Rob's Riff: You have to ignore that he's missed the cut three straight years here. Last year, he was just coming out of his funk and it has zero to do with this year. After a blistering start to 2008, he's cooled but hasn't missed a cut in 12 events, seven of which have resulted in Top 25s, which is precisely where I like him to land again this week.

Davis Love III (2003/1992)
WR: 114
$/Starts: 14/22
2007: T-75
Projected: MC
Rob's Riff: Tee to green, he's just not getting it done. As competitive as he is, I figured DL3 was going to make a run at qualifying for the Masters but it never materialized. He's made five of nine cuts and has posted just one Top 25. Maybe next year.

Steve Elkington (1997/1991)
WR: 119
$/Starts: 12/17
2007: T-12
Projected: Top 25
Rob's Riff: I still don't understand how someone that is allergic to grass can play golf for a living. It would be like if I had to work in a kennel. I get wheezy just thinking about it. Elk keeps motoring on and enters THE PLAYERS after a week off following a MC at the Nelson. He's still finding fairways and greens like the old days. Wouldn't be surprised if he makes a run at the 36-hole lead.

Fred Couples (1996/1984)
WR: 175
$/Starts: 16/24
2007: 35th
Projected: Top 25
Rob's Riff: Remains one of the best ball-strikers on tour. His three Top 10s are the most in a season since he had four in 2005. Two months ago, he didn't think he'd even be here, adding that he was going to add an event or two to make up for it. I picked him to finish in the Top 25 at the Masters and he missed his first cut in 24 starts at Augusta National. He was so torn up about it that, in his first (and only) event since, he finished T-8 at the Wachovia. I'm a believer again.

Fred Funk (2005)
WR: 185
$/Starts: 14/17
2007: MC
Projected: MC
Rob's Riff: It's been an emotional year seeing Funk's fantasy value fade away. He hasn't made a cut in over two months (Mayakoba, three starts back) and his goal of reaching $2 million seems more unrealistic as the weeks pass. On the other hand, one incredible week, like the one he had three years ago, will silence jokers like me.


Others: World Ranking … 1-10

Ernie Els
WR: 4
$/Starts: 12/14
Best: T-8 (2006/1996)
2007: T-37
Projected: MC
Rob's Riff: You have to approach this as if Els has never played TPC Sawgrass. In one sense, he hasn't in that his Butch Harmon-influenced swing is taking it on for the first time. I like his new plan but it's not the long-term yet. However (and that's a BIG reversal), there's nary a locale that would inject as much confidence as a strong showing would this week. If he can throw darts at the 17th and pipe drives at the last, he'll be building a brand new mental database. Best of luck if you start him.

Steve Stricker
WR: 5
$/Starts: 6/12
Best: T-6 (1999)
2007: T-52
Projected: Top 25
Rob's Riff: All seven of his paychecks have been results of Top 25s in 2008. But he's also missed four cuts, including his last two, a string he hadn't strung since 2005, before his first Comeback award. It's concerning and would be a news topic on Friday night if he misses another cut. This week's projection is based solely on his second round at Quail Hollow, where he sidestepped the demons and posted a grinding 70 after hitting just six fairways and seven GIR.

Geoff Ogilvy
WR: 6
$/Starts: 3/6
Best: T-16 (2004)
2007: T-37
Projected: Top 10
Rob's Riff: Squandered a big check at the Wachovia because he played the 71st and 72nd holes in an aggregate 3-over par. I like him this week because he minimizes his mistakes with tremendous distance control with his irons, a must when navigating TPC Sawgrass.

Jim Furyk
WR: 7
$/Starts: 10/12
Best: T-3 (2006)
2007: T-28
Projected: 1st
Rob's Riff: Coming off a pair of Top 10s since the Masters, Furyk is firing on all cylinders. Winless since the Canadian last year, it's his time. He'll need his putter to be rolling to have a chance and if he takes the trophy home on Sunday night, it won't be because it was pretty.

K.J. Choi
WR: 8
$/Starts: 4/6
Best: T-16 (2006)
2007: T-23
Projected: Top 25
Rob's Riff: Hasn't played since the Masters, which should benefit him. Choi doesn't putt well enough to win so he'll need to rely on his approach game, which is fine but only half of the equation for success. Maybe a T-15 this week.

Vijay Singh
WR: 9
$/Starts: 13/15
Best: 2nd (2001)
2007: T-44
Projected: Top 5
Rob's Riff: One of many to fall victim to Quail Hollow's Green Mile on Sunday. That's ancient history as far as Singh is concerned. He and Furyk are residents here but I'll take Furyk's putter by a nose. After all, isn't Furyk contractually obligated to live up to his fortune cookie?

Justin Rose
WR: 10
$/Starts: 2/4
Best: T-39 (2003)
2007: DNP
Projected: MC
Rob's Riff: Dealing with a sore back. Hasn't posted a round under par since an opening 68 at Augusta National.

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