Francesco Molinari attempts a historic feat and part in the assault of The Players, one of the most important tournaments on the American circuit, the so-called fifth major, underway from today to Sunday at the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The stakes are very high: 12,5 million dollars, 2,250 million of which are only for the winner. The tally of points for the Fedex Cup, the annual USA ranking, is also more consistent: they are 600, as in a grand slam match, against 550 in a world championship and 500 in a normal match. The blue starts among the favourites, after the fantastic comeback and winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week, but no player has ever managed to score such a sensational brace. For US commentators, Molinari could surprise us once again, because the Turinese is never to be underestimated. In fact, behind his grace there is a lot of strength of character, great talent and just as much determination. As someone wrote when the going gets tough, Molinari starts playing.
And in this case the game is very hard. Dustin Johnson, number one in the world, returns for the occasion, who hasn't taken part in any competition since the victory in the Mexico City WGC. The lanky American will have to watch his back from the English Justin Rose, number 2, who could unseat him with a victory, but also from the number three Brooks Koepka.
At the tee audiences will also see Tiger Woods again, apparently recovered from stiff neck. "I'm fine - says the champion - I just needed rest to regain full efficiency". Tiger has won this tournament twice, but the last success dates back to 2013.
Among the favorites are Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed, Hideki Matsuyama and some of the eleven past winners including Phil Mickelson (2007), Sergio Garcia (2008 ), Adam Scott (2004), Matt Kuchar (2012) and Jason Day (2016). Defends the title Webb Simpson, but does not seem in great shape. We must not forget Xander Schauffele, current leader of Fedex and in his second round in this race. Even Schauffele, like Molinari, is apparently an anti-hero, a self-effacing protagonist endowed with enormous abilities.
Chicco is in his eighth appearance and has finished in the top ten on 4 occasions, an achievement that in golf is a great success. In the first two rounds the Italian will play with Jason Day and Tony Finau with departures at 13,48 (tee 1) and 8,53 (tee 10) local time. We'll see. There are 144 participants and after the first 36 holes there is the cutoff. For the first time in many years, the tournament is played in March instead of May. A difference that can make all the difference, from the humid heat we move on to a cooler and windier season and even the grass is different, because it has the whole winter on its shoulders.
The Players Championship will be televised live and exclusively on GOLFTV, Discovery's streaming platform.
