Hot Sheet
THE PLAYERS hot sheet offers a quick guide to everything you need to know about the PGA TOUR’s flagship event contested at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course
Rickie and S-E-R-G-I-O commit to THE PLAYERS Two players who know a thing or two about playoff victories at the Stadium Course have officially committed to play in the 2019 tournament. Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia will tee it up at TPC Sawgrass in just 21 days’ time, in hopes of adding a second PLAYERS trophy to their mantel.
Rickie Fowler – THE PLAYERS 2015 Champion; 5-time PGA TOUR Winner
- How he won THE PLAYERS: Rickie Fowler delivered one of the most jaw-dropping victories in the history of this event. He began the final round three strokes off the lead and finished birdie-par-birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie to post a 6-under 66 and grab the clubhouse lead. Fowler then defeated THE PLAYERS 2008 champ Sergio Garcia and Kevin Kisner in a playoff, sticking his final approach shot on the 17th to 4 feet, 8 inches and making birdie for the hard-fought victory. “I’d say this is a big one,” Fowler said after his win. #agreed
- Performance this season: Fowler is now a 5-time winner on TOUR thanks to his victory at the Waste Management Phoenix Open two weeks ago. After plenty of close calls at TPC Scottsdale, Fowler finally got the ‘monkey off his back’ and powered through for the W, closing with two birdies in his final four holes for a two-shot victory. Better yet, it was his first win in front of his dad and grandpa. Look how cute Rickie’s g-pa is.
- Did you know? Fowler’s middle name—Yutaka—comes from his grandfather, Taka Tanaka.
Sergio Garcia – THE PLAYERS 2008 champion; 10-time PGA TOUR winner
- How he won THE PLAYERS: A year after finishing second to Phil Mickelson at THE PLAYERS in 2007, Garcia knew he had some work left to do at the Stadium Course. He fired a 66 in the first round to take a two-stroke lead, but after back-to-back 73s in the second and third rounds, he trailed 54-hole leader Paul Goydos by three strokes. A dialed-in Garcia battled winds of up to 40 mph in the final round and made a clutch par putt on the 18th to post a 1-under 71. After Goydos missed a 15-footer for par that would have won the tournament, the duo headed to the most intimidating hole in golf (aka: 17) for the sudden death playoff. S-E-R-G-I-O told himself to b-e a-g-g-r-e-s-s-i-v-e, and he stuck his shot to five feet, leaving himself a two-putt for the W.
- Performance this season: In his first PGA TOUR start of the 2018-19 season at the Genesis Open this past weekend, Garcia finished T37. He’s also posted two top-10 finishes on the European Tour, T7 in Singapore and T3 in Dubai.
- Did you know? Garcia has 20 rounds in the 60s at THE PLAYERS, just two shy of the record, held by Nick Price and Davis Love III.
Morgan Stanley is making an impact – One Eagle at a Time
One of our Proud Partners, Morgan Stanley, is thrilled to be back at THE PLAYERS, celebrating great shots and giving back through the Eagles for Impact Challenge!
For every eagle made, Morgan Stanley will donate to Book Trust, a non-profit that works to encourage students to become lifelong readers and learners.
Last year, Morgan Stanley donated 96,000 books to children in need thanks to the 64 eagles made at THE PLAYERS, a tournament record. Building upon the impact made in 2018, Morgan Stanley will donate 1,500 books to Book Trust for every eagle made this year.
Track the progress and root on the players by following the hashtag #EagleUp throughout the tournament. If you’re on-site, stop by the Morgan Stanley Eagles for Impact tent throughout the week to take a swing in the Topgolf simulator for a chance to win exclusive gear. And be sure to check out the augmented reality experience for a photo op featuring Morgan Stanley brand ambassador Justin Rose!
Putt-putt perks.
Who knew a simple game of putt-putt could be so nerve-wracking? Earlier this morning during the third hour of NBC’s TODAY Show, Kathie Lee & Hoda hosted a trivia and putt-putt challenge in their studios. But “The Great Golf-Off” wasn’t your typical putt-putt challenge…
The winner received an epic trip to THE PLAYERS, including a round-trip flight, $200 Uber credit, a 6-night stay at the Sawgrass Marriott and, of course, tickets to the tournament! Click here to watch the segment.
Calling all foodies!
THE PLAYERS team is excited to showcase some new flavors at this year’s tournament, including:
- Mini Bar Donuts: This Jacksonville favorite will be serving up its iconic mini-sized donuts at its venue in Sawgrass Square, right next to the Davis Love III Entry. Donut flavors include fruity pebbles, samoa, pop tart, maple bacon, and coffee cake. #holeinone
- V Pizza: Founded by three Jacksonville natives, V Pizza will be bringing its signature Neapolitan pizzas to THE PLAYERS for the very first time. Be sure to stop by The Patio, located between 10 tee and 18 green, to grab a slice of foodie heaven.
- Cousin’s Lobster: New to Taste of Jax (located behind 11 green and 12 tee), Cousin’s Lobster will be serving up its 100% premium, wild-caught, sustainably harvested lobster from Maine. But in order to really sound local when you order, say “lobstah”, not “lobster.” 😉
Golden Moments: #Duuuuvaaal
20 years ago, Jacksonville’s own David Duval had a golden opportunity to win the biggest championship of his career. The then 27-year-old had already notched nine PGA TOUR victories by this time, but the title of “THE PLAYERS Champion” was still missing from his resume.
Duval began the final round with a one stroke lead over Skip Kendall and Phil Mickelson, but after finding the bunker near the 9th green, his lead was in jeopardy. However, Duval displayed nerves of steel, holing the bunker shot en route to a two-shot victory at THE PLAYERS.
Better yet, Duval moved to No. 1 in Official World Golf Ranking, snapping Tiger Woods' string of 41 consecutive weeks in first. But it gets even better (than most), Duval’s hometown victory came on the VERY SAME DAY his father Bob won the Emerald Coast Classic on PGA TOUR Champions. Today, the Duvals remain the only father-son duo to win on the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions in the same week.
Volunteer Spotlight: Matt Welch, Vice-Chair of Spectator Services
More than 2,000 men, women and children volunteer their time to THE PLAYERS every year and are an integral part of this tournament’s success. In this week’s Volunteer Spotlight, get to know Vice-Chairman Matt Welch.
Matt recently retired as President from Elkins Constructors, Inc. after 32 years of service. He proved to be an extremely effective construction manager, particularly with respect to risk management, organizational structure, documentation, scheduling and problem solving. In fact, he even served as the lead on the new Jacksonville Main Library and PGA TOUR Entertainment’s building in World Golf Village! A graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Matt is also the Current Chairman of the Board for Catholic Charities and sits on the Board of Directors for the Clay County Utility Authority.
Rapid fire with Matt:
- What historic moment at THE PLAYERS do you wish you were there to see? 1999 - David Duval winning while his father cheered him on after he won on the same day on PGA TOUR Champions. (Oh yeah, I was there!)
- What’s the toughest/easiest hole on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course? Toughest #5. Easiest #16
- Why do you volunteer? I’ve always loved being a part of something bigger that gave back to the community and those in need. Can’t think of a better opportunity than THE PLAYERS.
- What would your signature drink be at THE PLAYERS? Welch’s Island Bliss Cocktail