we all understand that the famed island green on the TPC Sawgrass showcases all the drama because the rivals navigate their way in opposition t the conclude, but the par-5 sixteenth epitomizes the strategic facets required for the champion to get their palms on The gamers Championship trophy.
Let’s dive into the method on this hole that frequently determines the match’s influence, and historically is the least difficult hole on the direction — enjoying to a stroke commonplace of four.641 seeing that 1982.
Off the tee
the first choice that the participant will should make is with membership option off the tee. Combining a wind direction that can be out of the northeast (left to correct and assisting) for many of the week and the incontrovertible fact that it’s already a brief par 5 at a mere 523 yards, driver isn’t always the appropriate play because it may be extra tricky to healthy into this fairway that bends to the left at about 260 yards off the tee.
Steve Scott is the Director of guide for Golfweek. Click the image to look Steve’s guide information.
Left-handers like Phil Mickelson or Bubba Watson can hit the more controllable vigor fade with their driver, but you’ll see Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy definitely take the fairway timber for the proper right to left form to suit the circulation of the gap.
The most suitable position for the tee shot can be within the left third of the green which opens up the green a lot more for the participant the place they gained’t ought to navigate the penalty enviornment it is right and wanting the inserting floor.
Tee pictures that discover the appropriate side of the golf green or the correct tough can have the much less beneficial attitude, specifically for the average front-appropriate Sunday gap vicinity, and the water looms significant for a mild mis-hit shot.
Nick Watney takes a penalty drop after hitting into the water on the 16th hole all the way through the third circular of the 2011 gamers Championship at TPC Sawgrass. Allan Henry-usa nowadays sports
Go for it or lay up?
Following the tee shot, the second shot now takes middle stage. Should still they go for it or lay it up? An exacting shot is required, however’s a fundamental chance to take as seeing that 2003, the gamers who go for the green in two average 4.Forty six and are an wonderful 2,950 below par, whereas people that lay up normal 4.Ninety six and are handiest a mixed seventy seven below par.
Story continues
As they should be looking between 200 to 240 yards to the green, it’s a vital chance to calculate if a player is looking to climb the leaderboard. What makes the 2d shot unique is that it’s effective if the participant hits a left-to-appropriate shot into the placing floor, a shot this is contrary to the shot they just struck off the tee.
Puttview yardage booklet for TPC Sawgrass
Puttview TPC Sawgrass Stadium direction (Courtesy of Puttview)
If a player does hit it in the rough and is forced to lay the ball up, the layup it have to be far satisfactory lower back as to no longer have the overhanging tree come into play for the third, specially for a gap region on the left facet. A 2d shot going for the eco-friendly from the tough might be quite simply rolling the cube.
nevertheless work on the eco-friendly
once the participant receives to the eco-friendly, the heavy lifting isn’t absolutely done. Within the closing 7 years, the sixteenth green has an ordinary ranking of sixth (6.Forty two to be actual) in greens most frequently three-putted as in comparison to the relaxation of the vegetables on the direction.
Puttview yardage book for TPC Sawgrass
Puttview TPC Sawgrass Stadium direction (Courtesy of Puttview)
a few of this has to do with the multi-tiered nature of the putting floor and a few of it has to do with the incontrovertible fact that as players reach the green in two with longer golf equipment and have longer first putts. Additionally, one could’t negate the psychological element of the means to opt for up a shot with a two-putt birdie and the first putt being lagged too removed from the hole in protection of that hopeful birdie.
The 16th will truly play both a strategic and pivotal role in the conclude here at TPC, and the winner will possible birdie this gap all four days. And if background has the rest to assert about it this 12 months, it is going to all go down because it did with Fred Couples in 1996, Craig Perks in 2002 or Rickie Fowler in 2015 where a dramatic eagle propelled them in opposition t maintaining the trophy at days’ conclusion.