2008 Players Championship Preview

The 2008 Players Championship, starting tomorrow at TPC Sawgrass, is recognised as one of the toughest in world golf. While the majors tend to include amateurs and golf veterans in their fields, 101 of the 144 PGA professionals attending this year’s tournament have previously won on the PGA.

The Players Championship is notoriously difficult to defend, and none of the champions returning to TPC Sawgrass to play in the tournament have ever managed to retain their titles. The toughness of the tournament is attributed, in part, to the nature of the course.

Besides the notoriously difficult 17th hole, the TPC Sawgrass features holes that can be approached using a wide variety of techniques and styles. Players with the ability to drive the ball long distances lose their advantage on this course, opening the tournament up to players with good short games and accurate placement.

While some my say that the absence of Tiger Woods from the 2008 Players Championship may water down the event somewhat, tournament history indicates the opposite, with Woods having failed to find his way into the top 10 since first winning the tournament in 2001.

Phil Mickelson is priced 10/1 favourite to win the 2008 Players Championship by William Hill.