{"id":1250044,"date":"2024-03-15T16:18:07","date_gmt":"2024-03-15T16:18:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/?p=1250044"},"modified":"2024-03-16T21:43:34","modified_gmt":"2024-03-16T21:43:34","slug":"pain-pride-personified-at-the-players","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/pain-pride-personified-at-the-players\/","title":{"rendered":"Pain, pride personified at The Players"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ponte Vedra, FL.<\/strong><\/em> This week’s Players Championship marks the 50th anniversary of the famed event being played at TPC \/ Sawgrass. The Players Championship was not embraced by players in its earliest days and much of that angst was directed at architect Pete Dye.<\/p>\n

Dye envisioned a design in which no specific type of player would have an advantage. In looking at the winners over the years there is no specific type of player that has been a dominant force. Long hitters have won at times. On the flip side there have been winners such as Fred Funk and Calvin Peete who were deadly straight off the tee but hardly viewed as above average in total driver distance.<\/p>\n

Over the years, Dye made various modifications to the course that opened in 1982. It was that same year when winner Jerry Pate pushed Dye and then PGA TOUR commissioner Deane Beman into the water off the 18th green as penalty for such a difficult course, then dove in himself.<\/p>\n

Being the flagship event for the PGA TOUR has meant being on the cutting edge in terms of course conditioning and overall acceptance by those competing for the prestigious title.<\/p>\n

“How this event has grown in size, scope and impact over the past five decades is something we’re extremely proud of,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “And we continue to focus on delivering the best championship to our players, fans and partners.”<\/p>\n

Dye passed away at 94 in 2020 but he was able to keep a close eye on his most noted design given the annual stature the event generates.<\/p>\n

\"Pain
Pete Dye<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The par-72 7,275-yard layout is a virtual minefield. The annual gathering brings to the forefront a word that elite professionals despise in being humiliated \u2013 exposure.<\/p>\n

Dye had a keen penchant for knowing how to get under-the-skin of the world’s best players. He was keenly aware of their innate abilities since Pete was a quality player in his own right. Growing up in Ohio and winning the Indiana State Amateur and then qualifying for the U.S. Open at Inverness in 1957 even though he missed the cut along with Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.<\/p>\n

TPC \/ Sawgrass is a constant battle in making sound choices. There is no per se “relaxation” moment \u2013 it’s always the spiraling upwards of constant pressure meant to peel away the false sense of self-created security elite players have. In sum – you drop your guard at your peril.<\/p>\n

This is especially true as one faces the gauntlet that makes the 16th, 17th and 18th a formidable trio. While much attention is centered on the short island par-3 17th — the combination of holes is what makes any Players Championship fraught with uncertainty. Players grappling with internal emotions \u2013 inner demons that can overwhelm any outward sense of confidence.<\/p>\n

Dye understood better than just about any other architect the anguish of psychological warfare. Dye created a design where mental focus is imperative. As all players are aware, on any swing rounds can get derailed and valuable momentum sapped. Under benign conditions low scores have been shot with Greg Norman’s remarkable four-round record total of 264 (-24) in winning in 1994.<\/p>\n

On the flip side there have been years when fluctuating wind patterns have played havoc and players have been whipsawed and made to look foolish. No three holes have demonstrated that element of fear better than this final trio.<\/p>\n

\"Pain<\/p>\n

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16th Hole \/ 523 Yards \/ Par-5<\/h4>\n

The 16th looks on paper to be the easier of the final three holes and generally is. However, the most challenging aspect is that players looking to reach the green in two shots need to work the tee shot on a right-to-left ball flight.<\/p>\n

For right-handed players this requirement is no easy feat. Today’s drivers and golf balls apply less spin so being able to hit a controlled ball movement to the left is no small accomplishment.<\/p>\n