Clark keen to make TPC history

Clark defends The Players

It is billed as one of the most exciting tournaments on the PGA Tour calendar and none more so for golf fans, with a closing stretch of holes that appear to feature more blue than green.

The risk and reward finish of The Players Championship at Sawgrass might be a dream for viewers, yet it can end up being a complete nightmare for the athletes involved.

Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy may have passed up the opportunity to win golf’s unofficial fifth major, but their absence pales into insignificance as one of the strongest fields of the year line up for the richest event on Tour.

South African Tim Clark is bidding to become the first player in TPC history to defend the title he won so impressively last season.

He might be one of the smallest players on the circuit but he certainly packed a punch in Florida 12 months ago, after surging through field with five birdies in the space of six holes around the turn for a one-shot victory over Australian Robert Allenby.

Yet it would be some what of a miracle if Clark emulated his triumph this time around since injuring his right elbow in the spring.

“I’ve started to get a little better here lately, maybe it’s something that by playing will help me get better,” said the 35-year-old.

“It’s obviously going to be a special week to be back there. I kind of think back to last year and what happened. You don’t often get a chance to reflect. This is a chance to remember how I played, and maybe it’ll give me some confidence.”

Whether Clark plays or not, he has already made a massive impact on the tournament. Traditionally, the flag of the defending champion flies at Sawgrass the week of the tournament. But the South African has insisted they fly the Spanish flag in honour of the late Seve Ballesteros, who sadly passed away Saturday.

With Westwood out the running, it could end up being another musical chairs scenario for the World No.1 hot seat with Martin Kaymer, Luke Donald and Phil Mickelson all gunning for glory at Ponte Vedra Beach this week.

If either of the three win, they will become World No.1, while the German can reclaim top spot with a solo second finish should his two rivals not triumph. But out of the three contenders to the crown, you would have to fancy the in-form Englishman, who has not finished outside the top ten in his last six starts. History doesn’t favour Donald, with Sandy Lyle the only Brit etched on the famous trophy.

Tiger Woods is expected to make his return from injury on Thursday as he attempts to claw back from the brink of his new World No.8 ranking.

The Players has seen a mix of notable winners and unexpected outsiders take the coveted title over the years. And given how the PGA Tour season has gone so far with 19 winners from 20 events, it may end up being another guessing game as to who will land the ‘W’ on Sunday night.

The Players Championship

Where?
TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

When?
Thursday May 12 to Sunday May 15

The Course
Par-72; 7,215 yards

Purse
$9.5 million (winner: $1,710,000)

Defending Champion
Tim Clark (-16)

Tournament Records
Most wins: 3 (Jack Nicklaus in 1974, 1976 & 1978)
Lowest score: 264 (-24) by Greg Norman in 1994

Did you know?
It is estimated that more than 100,000 balls are retrieved from the surrounding water of the 17th island green every year, courtesy of professionals and tourists alike trying their luck.