2023 Players Championship Preview (3-8-23)

By: VIctor Herrera

Headline Photo Credit: Players.com

The 2023 Players Championship at the famous TPC Sawgrass will take place this week. This tournament has many different storylines, heading into it. I will start with the one that will be talked about the most: It is the first time a champion will not be participating, with no injury at cause. Cam Smith who had a phenomenal year, last year, will not be participating – simply because he is no longer part of the PGA Tour. Smith was one of the many players who took the contracts and went on to start the rival golf league, LIV. A player coming in hot into this tournament is the Spaniard, Jon Rahm. Rahm having already won twice this season is the favorite, for many, to win this week. I believe after last week’s T39 place at the Arnold Palmer Invitational slowed him down, and although he still has momentum, it will not be enough to claim the victory. Many players will be looking to have their signature win – to propel their careers into new territory, some of these players include Will Zalatoris, Sahith Theegala, Viktor Hovland, and Tony Finau.

My favorite to win this week is Si Woo Kim, who, with a win, can also make a jump in his career. Although he did not make the weekend last year, he did place within the top 10 in this tournament before. The approach shots for Kim have helped create a name for himself on tour. If Kim can manage the course and create the best approach shots, he has the potential to claim this week’s win. My dark horse pick for this weekend is Adam Hadwin. Hadwin can light up the scoreboard when it comes to par 5’s, and luckily for him – TPC Sawgrass has four of them. Adam will have no chance if he makes pars on the par 5’s, he must make eagles or birdies. This will be his best chance to make things interesting down the stretch.