The Players Championship is always a challenge, but this week in Ponte Vedra Beach, the task is even higher due to the extreme weather conditions at TPC Sawgrass.
We’re establishing a live updates website to remain on top of each part of the event due to the unpredictable nature of the schedule, changing weather conditions, and more.
The event has a stacked field of the world’s greatest players, with 46 of the top 50 players competing (after Bryson DeChambeau withdrew on Sunday and Kevin Na followed suit on Monday). Justin Thomas is returning to defend his championship in 2021.
More will be added throughout the day as our team of reporters and photographers captures the action.
12:59 p.m. UPDATE: Should the game have been called off because of the strong winds? It’s a contentious issue. It’s evident that those who can avoid the winds will have a significant edge, but with the event already scheduled to end on Monday or Tuesday, officials are taking advantage of any opportunity to keep play going.
Brandel Chamblee of Golf Channel and Eddie Pepperell of the DP World Tour had opposing views on how the situation should have been handled.
They should stop play. The 17th hole is unplayable.
— Brandel Chamblee (@chambleebrandel) March 12, 2022
A few players have already been informed that they would not be released today.
Nine of the 12 groups on each side (18/24 total) in the afternoon wave are scheduled to begin the second round today.
TOUR officials have informed the last three groups on each side that they will not begin the second round until Sunday. https://t.co/9nrKTsZVYk
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) March 12, 2022
12:49 p.m. UPDATE: Players are having a hard time deciding which club to strike in gale-force winds, as one might imagine. Rory McIlroy, for example, was hitting his drive about 80 yards shorter than usual – he usually hits it 325 yards off the tee.
.@McIlroyRory with driver on 18 that's playing into the wind: 247 yards.
— Steve DiMeglio (@Steve_DiMeglio) March 12, 2022
In addition, Billy Horschel, who lives nearby and knows the course well, made a triple-bogey on No. 17. He was irritated, which was understandable.
Horschel goes over green at 17 and fumes to caddie Mark Fulchet. “I knew it, man.” Then mumbles some choice words to himself. @THEPLAYERSChamp
— Eugene Frenette (@GeneFrenette) March 12, 2022
12:32 p.m. UPDATE: It’s tough to judge where players need to hit due to the weather, but it’s also difficult to maintain any sense of comfort. Many players, for example, wear helmets and gloves while walking and then remove them while hitting. It is the winds, not the temperatures (which are currently 61 degrees), that are causing the biggest problems.
Cold weather headgear today for Thomas Pieters doesn't keep him from finding the fairway bunker to the left on 10. Wind is wreaking havoc at the moment. pic.twitter.com/RgC971WsSY
— Clayton Freeman (@CFreemanJAX) March 12, 2022
12:15 p.m. UPDATE: The unthinkable has just happened: Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Brooks Koepka all hit their balls in the sea on No. 17 due to roaring gusts. Schauffele’s was especially off-kilter.
Oh, my, all three wet at 17 — Scottie, X and Brooksy. @TPCSawgrass is going to be brutal today.
— Adam Schupak (@AdamSchupak) March 12, 2022
First group off 17 ll go in water.Scheffler goes over green, Schauffele way short and Koepka also just short. Gonna be tough day at island [email protected]
— Eugene Frenette (@GeneFrenette) March 12, 2022
Scheffler 💦
Schauffele 💦
Koepka 💦The wind is causing carnage at the 17th. pic.twitter.com/uMI7whZ8Ot
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 12, 2022
Prior to the restart of @THEPLAYERSChamp, 122 guys had played No. 17 in the first round, with four water balls. We've had half that in the first threesome after the restart: Kopeka and Scheffler.
— Gsmitter (@gsmitter) March 12, 2022
Scheffler and Xander salvage bogey at TPC’s 17th after rinsing tee shots, double for Brooksy. Next up: Rory, Collin and JT. Are you not entertained? pic.twitter.com/w0FCZNAP1G
— Adam Schupak (@AdamSchupak) March 12, 2022
