Sky Sports presenter reflects on a thrilling finish to the Players Championship
Despite some surprising names at the top of the leaderboard after close of play on Thursday and Friday, the star names always seem to make their presence felt at the end of this championship.
Sawgrass an unbelievable course and it always produces drama, and we weren’t left disappointed again this year. The finish was one of the best you will ever see in golf.
Drama to the death and as usual holes 16, 17 and 18 proved why this is one of the best finishing stretches in the game.
Of my pre-tournament picks that I’d made here, Sergio was the one to really excel. This one proved a tough one to call but the Spaniard so very nearly went all the way.
You do see players enjoying particular courses and there’s no doubt this is one of Garcia’s favourites.
Sergio had a poor putting week but his ball striking was superb and this course usually sees the ball strikers prosper.
He could have run away with this tournament though had he produced better on the greens.
He alternated between the claw and the conventional putting grip this week but I’d say he’s likely to stay with the claw for the rest of the season now.
He was narrowly ousted by Rickie Fowler in the end, and there’s no doubt the American was motivated by the anonymous players poll declaring Poulter and Fowler as the two most overrated players on tour.
Rickie has only won once on tour and he definitely felt like he had a point to prove this week.
His finish in regulation was one of the best you will ever see. I hope he kicks on from here as he’s such a great guy, one of the best out there.
During an interview earlier this week I asked him that with all this Rory/Jordan talk, was it time for him to start making the headlines again?
He replied simply with: ‘Yep, I need to step up to the plate.’ Well, he absolutely just did that and I think the success of those two players has proven another motivational factor for him.
His coach Butch Harmon has had a big impact, not just with the swing but as a mentor too.
Rickie has the balance right between working hard and enjoying his status as one of the most marketable golfers in the world.
There should be plenty more to come from the 26-year-old.
22/1 – Sergio Garcia to win the Open Championship
22/1 – Rickie Fowler to win the Open Championship
