Blog#124 March 14, 2024 March 11 to 14, 2024 Par 72

Blog#124 March 14, 2024 March 11 to 14, 2024 Par 72

TPC Sawgrass Ponte Vedra FL

Purse $25M same as last year

HISTORY.  It is the 50th anniversary of this tournament started by Deane Beman in 1974 at Atlantic Country Club.  Jack Nicklaus was the winner and won $50K.  Cam Smith won in 2022 despite hitting into the water on 18.  Last years winner was Scottie Scheffler (12/1) by 5 strokes over Tyrrell Hatton now with LIV.  Jon Rahm was the favorite at (7/1).  The field is 144.

FAVORITES

1 Scottie Scheffler 11/2 If he plays like he did in RD4 at Arnold Palmer nobody beats him.

2 Rory McIlroy 12/1 If he plays like the back 9 of RD3 he could have a chance.

3 Justin Thomas 22/1 His game has been on the rise, but too many bogie mistakes.

4 Xander Schauffele 22/1 I picked him to win last week, no more.

5 Viktor Hovland 22/1 He has been to inconstant since winning the FedX last year.

6 Patrick Cantlay 25/1 Same as Hovland, in a slump.

7 Will Zalatoris 25/1 He has played well all year, just someone else gets hot.

8 Hideki Matsuyama 28/1 Always dangerous as he was on final RD of Genesis win.

9 Max Homa 33/1 Has played well this year, needs to put 4 good RDs together. 

10 Ludvig Aberg 33/1 He has not lived up to his 2023 potential, can’t see him winning.

LONGSHOTS

1 Wyndham Clark 33/1 I thought his US Open win was a fluke.  WRONG he can play.

2 Sahith Theegala 50/1 If he puts 4 RDs together he could win, always seems to finish strong.

3 Min Woo Lee 55/1 Still looking for his 1st win and had 3 bad RDs last week.

4 Eric Cole 110/1 Also looking for 1st win, he runs hot and cold.

5 Rickie Fowler 120/1 I don’t think he has much of a chance but I still love this guy. 

The 17th 137 yard par 3 is one of the most recognized par 3’s on the PGA TOUR.  Surrounded by water except for a narrow path which gives access to the green.  On a windy day during the 1st round in 2027 a record 50 balls found the water.