Tiger, Phil Will Tee It Up At The Players, Probably
- Updated: March 10, 2019
@golfweek
The PGA Tour execs can almost stop holding their collective breaths. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson both appear to be all systems go for this week’s Players Championship.
Woods was a late scratch at the Arnold Palmer Invitational when he cited a “neck strain” that’s been bothering him over the last few weeks but was planning on being ready for The Players.
1) Unfortunately due to a neck strain that I’ve had for a few weeks, I’m forced to withdraw from the API. I’ve been receiving treatment, but it hasn’t improved enough to play. My lower back is fine, and I have no long-term concerns, and I hope to be ready for The Players.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 4, 2019
The PGA Tour announced Sunday that Woods is scheduled to address media members at 10:30 a.m. ET Tuesday after playing 9 holes … meaning he will be on the grounds at TPC Sawgrass with the intention of playing, assuming he’s healthy.
He would still reserve the right to withdraw at any point before his opening-round tee time Thursday afternoon, where he’ll be paired with last year’s champion Shank Webb Simpson and Tiger fanboy Patrick Reed. Yeesh. What a grouping. Might want to WD regardless.
As for Phil…
He went on record earlier this year stating the proverbial fifth major wasn’t a “must play” for him. He’s only played in it 25 times and won it once. Classic Lefty.
The 48-year-old has missed 5 of his last 6 cuts at the Players, but that was when it was held in May when the rough was thicker. Of course, Mickelson also said he was done with playing courses with “brutal rough” but that’s neither here nor there.
On Sunday, he was at TPC Sawgrass practicing (instead of competing at Bay Hill since he missed the cut.) Apparently, he liked what he saw, especially the “very little rough” part. He even not so subtly hinted that he already won an event the week after a missing a cut.
Hanging with Steve Loy and Glenn Cohen while practicing at TPC. The course here is in spectacular shape with very little rough, much like Augusta! If I remember correctly, the week before I won at Pebble I missed the cut. Just saying😎 #Lefty pic.twitter.com/4wHW1ZOmPe
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) March 10, 2019
Mickelson will be grouped with Matt Kuchar and Rory McIlroy if he decides to peg it. Imagine writing “if he decides to peg it” at the Masters? LOL.
The Players Championship – which is not a major no matter how hard they try to tell you it is – takes place March 14-17 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
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