PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – With The Players Championship returning to the month of March, will golfers who live in the area have an advantage?
That remains to be seen. In the past, three local residents have won The Players, Mark McCumber (1988), David Duval (1999) and Fred Funk (2005). Matt Kuchar won in 2012 after he moved from Ponte Vedra Beach. Last year, Webb Simpson won The Players His caddie, Paul Tesori grew up in St. Augustine.
If you are looking for a golfer with a local tie to follow this week, you have six to choose from:
Ryan Blaum-Jacksonville Beach
Current World Golf Ranking: 268
Best finish at The Players: T77 in 2018
Best finish this season: T4 at RSM Classic at Sea Island, Georgia
Did you know? Blaum has won tournaments in the Dominican Republic and Brazil.
Jim Furyk-Ponte Vedra Beach
Current World Golf Ranking: 167
Best finish at The Players: 2nd in 2014
Best finish this season: T6 at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Did you know? Furyk is the only PGA Tour golfer to shoot 58 and 59 in tournament play
Billy Horschel-Jacksonville Beach
Current World Golf Ranking: 40
Best finish at The Players: T13 in 2015
Best finish this season: 8th at the Farmers Insurance Open
Did you know? Horschel attended the University of Florida.
Russell Knox
Current World Golf Ranking: 64
Best finish at The Players: T17 in 2015
Best finish this season: T10 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open
Did you know? Born in Scotland, Knox attended Jacksonville University
Sam Saunders-Atlantic Beach
Current World Golf Ranking: 265
Best finish at The Players: 2019 is his first start at The Players
Best finish this season: T26 at Sanderson Farms Championship
Did you know? Saunders is the grandson of Arnold Palmer.
Vijay Singh-Ponte Vedra Beach
Current World Golf Ranking: --
Best finish at The Players: 2nd in 2001
Best finish this season: 6th at Honda Classic
Did you know?: Singh, 56, nearly became the oldest winner in PGA Tour history this year when he had the lead in the final four holes at the Honda Classic.