THE PLAYERS Championship Round 2 Review

A quick look at Friday’s second round of THE PLAYERS Championship. THE LEADERS Of the 45 winners of THE PLAYERS Championship, just one has come from the British Isles – Scotland’s Sandy Lyle in 1987. No Englishman has ever won. No Irishman has ever won. The chance of that statistical anomaly ending at TPC Sawgrass has considerable improved after 36 holes this week. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and England’s Tommy Fleetwood are 12 under and three shots clear of the field. One of their primary chasers, meanwhile, is Ian Poulter, who has come as close as any Englishman has to breaking the drought with runner-up finishes in 2009 and 2017. Certainly these things are, as Fleetwood said, a “strange coincidence,â€� and there’s no real relevancy on what goes on inside the ropes. In fact, neither Fleetwood nor Poulter seemed aware of the shutout until informed on Friday. “I’ve had plenty of seconds now so I will be trying to … get that No. 1 spot,â€� Poulter said. “It would be quite nice.â€� Poulter is 9 under and tied for third with Brian Harman, Abraham Ancer and local resident Jim Furyk, who shot the low round of the day with a bogey-free 64. They’ll be at the head of the chase pack hoping to prevent THE PLAYERS from turning into a two-man race this weekend. That could be difficult, as McIlroy and Fleetwood each entered this week in terrific form. McIlroy has top-6 finishes in his last five starts, and Fleetwood is, for the second consecutive week, the 36-hole co-leader. He hopes to avoid the kind of stumble he encountered last Saturday at Bay Hill when he shot a 76. “For the second week in a row after two days, I’ve put myself in the best possible position,â€� Fleetwood said after his 5-under 67 Friday. “A lot of positives, and clearly playing a lot of good golf. So take that and run with it, really.â€� Although McIlroy hasn’t been able to close the deal in his recent stats, he’s in a good frame of mind as he chases his first TOUR win in more than a year. He isn’t about to put pressure on himself to win; instead, he wants to keep a narrow focus. “I just need to keep seeing red numbers,â€� he said after his 65, his second-lowest round in his PLAYERS career. “That’s all I need to keep seeing. I don’t need a win.â€� Still, a win would be nice. Given that St. Patrick’s Day is on Sunday, perhaps the stars are lining up in his favor. ODDS AND ENDS You might think Jim Furyk got a raw deal when his birdie putt from 42-1/2 feet at the 17th hit the flagstick (which he opted to leave in) and bounced a foot away. But he thinks it was a good break. “I don’t think it had a chance to go in,â€� Furyk said. “I think it was going to run by and I was going to have a tough putt on the way back.â€� Sungjae Im became the youngest player to record a hole-in-one at THE PLAYERS. The 20-year-old Korean used an 8-iron at the 152-yard 13th. It was the 34th ace in PLAYERS history and the 12th ace at No. 13. With Ryan Moore’s ace yesterday, the 2019 PLAYERS becomes the first TOUR event since 2013 to have multiple aces in the same week. Kevin Kisner was part of the three-man playoff in 2015 when Rickie Fowler won at TPC Sawgrass. Now he’s back in the mix again after his second consecutive 68. Asked what playing well here four years did for him, Kisner replied, “Just put a lot of money in my checking account. Other than that, no much.â€� For the record, Kisner won $880,000 that year. The course conditions are expected to change at some point this weekend due to a cold front pushing through Ponte Vedra Beach. The winds were from the south in the first two rounds but are forecast to become a northerly wind following the cold front, which should make TPC Sawgrass more difficult. “If it gets firmer and faster and the wind blows from the north like they say it’s going to, it could be a really difficult test,â€� said Jim Furyk. Russell Knox has two PGA TOUR victories and one on the European Tour. “I pat myself on the back every day. It’s hard to win a PGA TOUR event or any event in the world,â€� Knox said. Having attended Jacksonville University and living in the area for 15 years, winning THE PLAYERS would obviously be extra-special. He loves being at home this week although he admits that doing “the dishes kind of sucks.â€� Vaughn Taylor made the cut for the first time in nine tries since THE PLAYERS moved to May. In fact, he’s among the contenders at 7 over through two rounds. Although his best finish is a T-8 in 2006, he’s seen what it takes to win – he was paired with Fred Funk in the final round. “A cool experience, one I’ll never forget,â€� Taylor said. “It’s good memories and hopefully I can make some memories of my own.â€� Cameron Champ withdrew with a back injury after eight holes Friday. He was 8 over at the time. That reduced the field to 141 players. NOTABLES JIM FURYK (64) – Bogey-free. Hit every fairway. His lowest score in 80 career rounds at THE PLAYERS. Yep, it was a good day for the local resident. (Click here for more) JASON DAY (66) – An eight-birdie day for the 2015 PLAYERS champ, who has missed just seven greens through the first 36 holes. RICKIE FOWLER (67) – Bounced back nicely, fueled by a hole-out from 80 yards for eagle at the par-5 second. DUSTIN JOHNSON (68) — He’s lurking at 7 under and is 5 under on the closing three holes this week. JON RAHM (68) — Same position as DJ, although a bogey at the 18th probably didn’t sit well. PATRICK REED (69) – Second consecutive 69. Entered this week with just three of 16 rounds at TPC Sawgrass in the 60s. BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU (69) — Was 4 under on his final 10 holes to give himself a fighting chance. JORDAN SPIETH (69) – Didn’t make the cut but seemed especially pleased after his round for this reason: “Putting’s back.â€� (Click here for more) WEBB SIMPSON (70) – Defending champ is lurking, but unlike last year, he’ll enter the weekend as a chaser. FRANCESCO MOLINARI (70) – Yet to solve the 18th this week, but his 70 at least assured him a weekend spot. TIGER WOODS (71) – If not for those two water balls at 17 … (click here for full story on Tiger’s round). BROOKS KOEPKA (71) – A couple of late birdies had him straddling the cutline, but he squeezed into the weekend. JUSTIN THOMAS (72) — Missed a 4-foot putt at 18, with the late bogey leaving him on the cutline. KEEGAN BRADLEY (73) – Tough day for the first round co-leader. Was ranked 3rd in field in Strokes Gained: Putting on Thursday, but ranked 138th in that category on Friday. PHIL MICKELSON (74) — A second consecutive 74 left Phil missing the cut for the sixth time in the last seven years. XANDER SCHAUFFELE (74) — The current FedExCup points leader failed to make the cut, thanks to back-to-back double bogeys. WORTH WATCHING 48-FOOT BIRDIE PUTT by Rory Sabbatini at the par-3 eighth. CHIP-IN FOR EAGLE by Ian Poulter at the par-5 16th. BIRDIE FROM THE TREES for Phil Mickelson at the par-5 second. RARE QUADRUPLE-BOGEY for Tiger Woods at the par-3 17th. THEY SAID IT It’s pristine shape, it’s wonderful setup, it’s terrific, and I just don’t play well. I don’t know what to say.Boy, we’re on a big negative day, aren’t we? BY THE NUMBERS 22,698 – Holes played in Tiger Woods’ PGA TOUR career. In just eight of those holes did he suffer a quadruple-bogey or worse, the most recent being Friday when he hit two balls in the water at 17. 43 — Number of times Jim Furyk has hit every fairway during a PGA TOUR round, including Friday’s 14-of-14 effort. 16 — Consecutive cuts at THE PLAYERS by Sergio Garcia, who extended his record streak by shooting 69-70 and is current T-20. 11 — Strokes needed by Brian Gay to play hole Nos. 15-18. He went birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie. That matches the best score in that four-hole stretch set by Rickie Fowler in the final round of his win in 2015. SUPERLATIVES STROKES GAINED LEADERS: Off-the-tee (Byeong Hun An, 2.451); Tee-to-Green (Keith Mitchell, 5.844); Approach-the-Green (Jon Rahm, 3.847); Around-the-Green (Patton Kizzire, 2.847); Putting (Jordan Spieth, 5.159); Total (Jim Furyk, 7.348). LONGEST DRIVE: 363 yards – Byeong Hun An on 18. LONGEST PUTT: 47-feet, 11 inches. Rory Sabbatini drilled a birdie on the par-3 8th. LONGEST HOLE-OUT: 152-yards – Sungjae Im and Justin Rose. Im aced the par-3 13th hole. Rose holed out from the fairway on the par-4 15th. MOST BIRDIES: 8 – Jason Day (66), Jim Furyk (64), Seamus Power (67) BOGEY-FREE ROUNDS: Jim Furyk (64), Jason Kokrak (68), Scott Piercy (68), Martin Trainer (69). HARDEST HOLE: Par-4 514th. Played to 4.291 with just six birdies, 33 bogeys, two double bogeys and three others.

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1st Round 3 Balls – B. Cauley / D. Lipsky / R. Sloan
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Bud Cauley+135
David Lipsky+185
Roger Sloan+220
1st Round 3 Balls – R. Palmer / M. Kim / B. Taylor
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Michael Kim+130
Ryan Palmer+160
Ben Taylor+260
1st Round Match-Up – M. Kim v J. Suh
Type: 1st Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Michael Kim-125
Justin Suh+105
1st Round 3 Balls – J. Bramlett / D. Thompson / S. Gutschewski
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Davis Thompson+125
Joseph Bramlett+135
Scott Gutschewski+350
1st Round 3 Balls – H. Norlander / J. Suh / C. Yuan
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Carl Yuan+160
Justin Suh+160
Henrik Norlander+200
Tournament Match-Up – J. Suh v C. Yuan
Type: Tournament Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Justin Suh-120
Carl Yuan-110
1st Round Match-Up – D. Thompson v D. Berger
Type: 1st Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Davis Thompson-125
Daniel Berger+105
1st Round Match-Up – J. Bramlett v V. Whaley
Type: 1st Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Joseph Bramlett-135
Vince Whaley+115
1st Round 3 Balls – P. Kizzire / R. Moore / C. Tarren
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Ryan Moore+130
Patton Kizzire+190
Callum Tarren+220
1st Round 3 Balls – M. Trainer / V. Whaley / M. Schmid
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Matti Schmid+150
Vince Whaley+175
Martin Trainer+200
1st Round 3 Balls – D. Berger / J.B. Holmes / S. Stallings
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Scott Stallings+125
Daniel Berger+130
J B Holmes+375
1st Round 3 Balls – W. Clark / T. Finau / S. Woo Kim
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Wyndham Clark+135
Tony Finau+190
Si Woo Kim+200
1st Round Match-Up – W. Clark vs S. Theegala
Type: 1st Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Sahith Theegala-120
Wyndham Clark+100
1st Round Match-Up – J. Day vs T. Finau
Type: 1st Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Jason Day-110
Tony Finau-110
1st Round Match-Up – S.W. Kim vs A. Noren
Type: 1st Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Si Woo Kim-120
Alex Noren+100
1st Round 3 Balls – V. Norrman / D. Riley / C. Ramey
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Vincent Norrman+160
Chad Ramey+180
Davis Riley+180
1st Round 3 Balls – S. Theegala / J. Day / P. Harrington
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Sahith Theegala+120
Jason Day+135
Padraig Harrington+375
Tournament Match-Up – S. Theegala vs J. Day
Type: Tournament Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Sahith Theegala-145
Jason Day+110
1st Round Match-Up – A. Smalley v V. Norrman
Type: 1st Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Alex Smalley-110
Vincent Norrman-110
1st Round 3 Balls – M. Hughes / B. Horschel / T. Hoge
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Mackenzie Hughes+170
Tom Hoge+170
Billy Horschel+185
1st Round 3 Balls – K. Kitayama / J.J. Spaun / C. Champ
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Kurt Kitayama+130
Cameron Champ+180
J J Spaun+240
1st Round Match-Up – T. Hoge vs K. Kitayama
Type: 1st Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Kurt Kitayama-110
Tom Hoge-110
1st Round Match-Up – P. Rodgers vs M. Hughes
Type: 1st Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Mackenzie Hughes-110
Patrick Rodgers-110
1st Round 3 Balls – H. Buckley / R. Shelton / T. Alexander
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Robby Shelton+160
Tyson Alexander+175
Hayden Buckley+190
1st Round 3 Balls – J. Walker / P. Rodgers / A. Smalley
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Patrick Rodgers+115
Alex Smalley+170
Jimmy Walker+280
1st Round 3 Balls – N. Lashley / S. Ryder / Z. Blair
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Sam Ryder+145
Nate Lashley+160
Zac Blair+230
1st Round 3 Balls – A. Long / J. Vegas / A. Noren
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Alex Noren+100
Jhonattan Vegas+230
Adam Long+260
1st Round Match-Up – B. Silverman v N. Lashley
Type: 1st Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Nate Lashley-115
Ben Silverman-105
1st Round 3 Balls – C. Phillips / C. Gotterup / H. Springer
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Chandler Phillips+160
Chris Gotterup+170
Hayden Springer+190
1st Round 3 Balls – B. Silverman / P. Barjon / K. Ventura
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Ben Silverman+115
Paul Barjon+210
Kris Ventura+230
Tournament Match-Up – B. Silverman vs C. Gotterup
Type: Tournament Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Ben Silverman-115
Chris Gotterup-115
1st Round Match-Up – C. Phillips v C. Gotterup
Type: 1st Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Chris Gotterup-115
Chandler Phillips-105
1st Round 3 Balls – E. Barnes / T. Crowe / W. Furr
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Erik Barnes+145
Trace Crowe+185
Wilson Furr+200
1st Round 3 Balls – N. Lindheim / A. Dumont De Chassart / K. Dougherty
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Adrien Dumont de Chassart+175
Kevin Dougherty+175
Nicholas Lindheim+175
1st Round 3 Balls – E. Gonzalez / H. Endycott / V. Perez
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Victor Perez+120
Harrison Endycott+185
Emilio Gonzalez+250
1st Round 3 Balls – R. MacIntyre / R. Campos / R. Pereda
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Robert MacIntyre+110
Rafael Campos+170
Raul Pereda+320
1st Round Match-Up – V. Perez v R. MacIntyre
Type: 1st Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Victor Perez-115
Robert MacIntyre-105
1st Round 3 Balls – J. Campillo / R. Hoey / R. Gibson
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Jorge Campillo+140
Rico Hoey+140
Rhein Gibson+275
1st Round 3 Balls – A. Nordqvist / A Lim Kim / Y. Saso
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Yuka Saso+130
A Lim Kim+170
Anna Nordqvist+250
1st Round 3 Balls – M. Stark / J. Kupcho / J. Shin
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Jenny Shin+130
Maja Stark+200
Jennifer Kupcho+210
1st Round 3 Balls – L. Vu / N. Hataoka / A. Furue
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Ayaka Furue+170
Lilia Vu+175
Nasa Hataoka+180
1st Round 3 Balls – N. Korda / C. Boutier / L. Ko
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Nelly Korda+130
Lydia Ko+190
Celine Boutier+220
1st Round 3 Balls – L. Grant / H.J. Kim / R. Zhang
Type: 1st Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN
Hyo Joo Kim+170
Linn Grant+175
Rose Zhang+180
Hero Indian Open
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN
Jordan Smith+700
Joost Luiten+750
Keita Nakajima+750
Matteo Manassero+1100
Ewen Ferguson+1400
Sam Bairstow+1400
Adrian Otaegui+1600
Romain Langasque+1600
Fabrizio Zanotti+2800
Alex Fitzpatrick+3000
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2nd Round Match-Up – S. Bairstow v A Fitzpatrick
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Sam Bairstow-115
Alex Fitzpatrick-105
2nd Round Match-Up – J. Luiten v R. Cabrera Bello
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Joost Luiten-150
Rafa Cabrera Bello+115
2nd Round Match-Up – J. Veerman v M. Kieffer
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Johannes Veerman-110
Maximillian Kieffer-110
2nd Round Match-Up – J. Morrison v T. Lewis
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
James Morrison-110
Tom Lewis-110
2nd Round Match-Up – M. Kawamura v A. Sullivan
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Andy Sullivan-120
Masahiro Kawamura+100
2nd Round Match-Up – C. Jarvis v M. Penge
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Casey Jarvis-120
Marco Penge-110
2nd Round Match-Up – B. Stone v G. Migliozzi
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Guido Migliozzi-125
Brandon Stone+105
2nd Round Match-Up – S. Sharma v A. Otaegui
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN
Adrian Otaegui-120
Shubankar Sharma+100
The Galleri Classic
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN
Steve Stricker+350
Steven Alker+650
Miguel Angel Jimenez+1100
Jerry Kelly+1200
Stephen Ames+1400
Ernie Els+1600
Alex Cejka+1800
Brian Gay+2000
KJ Choi+2500
Kevin Sutherland+2500
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Major Specials 2024
Type: To Win A Major 2024 – Status: OPEN
Scottie Scheffler+125
Jon Rahm+225
Rory McIlroy+225
Viktor Hovland+225
Brooks Koepka+350
Ludvig Aberg+350
Patrick Cantlay+400
Collin Morikawa+450
Justin Thomas+450
Wyndham Clark+450
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The Masters 2024
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN
Scottie Scheffler+450
Rory McIlroy+1100
Jon Rahm+1200
Brooks Koepka+1800
Jordan Spieth+2000
Xander Schauffele+2000
Hideki Matsuyama+2500
Joaquin Niemann+2500
Justin Thomas+2500
Ludvig Aberg+2500
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PGA Championship 2024
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN
Scottie Scheffler+700
Jon Rahm+1000
Rory McIlroy+1000
Viktor Hovland+1400
Brooks Koepka+1600
Bryson DeChambeau+2000
Patrick Cantlay+2000
Wyndham Clark+2000
Xander Schauffele+2000
Cameron Smith+2500
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US Open 2024
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN
Scottie Scheffler+700
Rory McIlroy+800
Jon Rahm+900
Viktor Hovland+1000
Cameron Smith+1600
Brooks Koepka+1800
Cameron Young+2000
Collin Morikawa+2000
Ludvig Aberg+2000
Patrick Cantlay+2000
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The Open Championship 2024
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN
Scottie Scheffler+800
Jon Rahm+1000
Rory McIlroy+1000
Viktor Hovland+1100
Brooks Koepka+2000
Cameron Smith+2000
Cameron Young+2000
Collin Morikawa+2000
Jordan Spieth+2500
Ludvig Aberg+2500
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Solheim Cup 2024
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN
USA-140
Europe+135
Tie+1200
Ryder Cup 2025
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN
USA-135
Europe+135
Tie+1000