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TPC Sawgrass is one of the most demanding stages in professional golf — a course where legends are made and pressure is a constant companion. Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and Collin Morikawa arrive with a history of success at Sawgrass, strong recent form, and compelling statistical cases to hoist the trophy.

In this article we will discuss:

  • Scottie’s Complete Dominance
  • Rory’s Closing Ability
  • Tommy’s Sawgrass Successes
  • Collin’s Precision Advantage
  • Full WITB and In-Hand Images

Up first is a complete statistical preview courtesy of our good friend Rick Gehman (@RickRunGood).

THE RACE TO THREE PLAYERS TITLES

Rory Mc Ilroy and Scottie Scheffler Walking With Spider Tour X

Only Jack Nicklaus has won three PLAYERS Championships — and he accomplished that feat across five years. With a win, both Rory and Scottie would become the youngest players in history to accomplish that feat. Scottie would reach that milestone at just 29 years, 8 months, 22 days old and would win three PLAYERS in just four years. For Rory, it would be his third PLAYERS in seven years at 36 years, 10 months, 11 days.

SCOTTIE THE SAWGRASS MACHINE

Scottie’s 69.74 scoring average at THE PLAYERS is the best of any golfer since 1980 (minimum five starts). That’s not a small sample size – it’s a statement of sustained excellence at one of the toughest venues on TOUR.

Since Scottie’s debut in 2021, he has the most Total Strokes Gained, a whopping +41.25. It all starts on Thursday for Scottie as he is second all-time in Round 1 Scoring Average at 69.05. He is also second since 2021 in Round 1 Strokes Gained at +14.32.

If you really get into the weeds of Scottie’s dominance at Sawgrass you will find that he is the only player in 23 years of PLAYERS data to not record a bogey on holes 2, 4 and 11.

Scottie Scheffler Qi4 D Driver Swing PLAYERS 2026
FRONT NINE DOMINATION

Scottie has been almost untouchable on the front nine at TPC Sawgrass. Since his debut in 2021, he leads the TOUR in every meaningful cumulative front nine metric – regardless of how you slice it:

  • Front Nine Score-to-Par: 27-under (Best Since 2021)
  • Front Nine Scoring Average: 34.47 (Best Since 2002, minimum 7 rounds)
  • Strokes Gained on Front Nine: +28.89 (Most since Scottie’s debut in 2021)
    • Next closest is +22.85 (!)

RORY THE CLOSER

Rory’s career scoring average of 70.65 ranks 8th all-time at THE PLAYERS (minimum five starts). But the real story is what Rory does when a tournament is on the line. His 69.95 final round scoring average is 12th overall – and 1st among all players with 11 or more starts.

Since 2009, no player on TOUR has been better in the final round at TPC Sawgrass than Rory. His ability to make birdies and gain strokes when the pressure peaks is simply unmatched.

  • +21.95 final round Total SG Since 2009 – 1st
  • 21-under par in final round since 2009 – T-1st
  • 44 final round birdies or better since 2009 – 4th
Rory Raises Spider Tour X Putter at THE PLAYERS 2025
BACK NINE BOSS

Rory’s ability to perform on the back nine in the final round is elite. His back nine scoring average of 35.01 is tied for the best of any golfer dating back to 2009 (minimum 30 rounds).

He also has gained +18.15 strokes on the back nine and is 17-under par which are both more than anyone else (min. 9 rounds).

On perhaps the most nerve-inducing hole on the golf course, the famous 17th, Rory is one of four players with at least 16 attempts that have played it under par with a 2.94 scoring average.

In the final stretch of holes 16-18, Rory is in the top five in SG (+7.55) and score-to-par (7-under).

TOMMY'S TIME?

Tommy Fleetwood sneakily has dominated TPC Sawgrass:

  • His +44.92 Total Strokes Gained since his debut in 2017 is first in that span
  • He has the best SG Per Start by a non-winner since 2002 with +5.61 (7+ starts)
  • With an overall scoring average of 70.55, Tommy ranks sixth all-time
  • Second best back nine scoring average (35.10) since 2009 (min. 30 rounds)
Tommy Fleetwood Reading a Putt Spider Tour API

Few players at TPC Sawgrass have been as reliable with the flat stick as Tommy Fleetwood. His career putting numbers at this venue rank at the top by multiple metrics.

  • He has made 2,227 feet of putts in his career at Sawgrass (most since his debut).
  • He has made 18 putts of 20-feet-or-more (most since his debut).

Tommy also has the most feet of putts made on holes 7 (197’, 3’’), 8 (220’) and 10 (210’, 1’’).

Tommy’s birdie or better count of 82 ranks fourth at TPC sawgrass since 2021. A big factor is that he has only hit five balls in the water over the last five years, which is the second fewest of any player with 18+ rounds during that stretch.

His successes on certain parts of the golf course come most notably on holes 8-10. Tommy has gained 26.10 strokes on those holes in his career, the most by nearly 10 strokes compared to the next player on the list. In 30 rounds, he has 30 birdies and just seven bogeys on this stretch.

PRECISION PLAYS AT SAWGRASS

Collin Morikawa MG5 Wedge Shot API

Collin Morikawa has built his career on elite ball-striking, and TPC Sawgrass is a venue that rewards that precision. His approach play statistics are among the best of any player in the modern era.

  • In his career at Sawgrass, 38% of approaches have been 20’ feet or closer which is tied for the highest rate in that span
  • 66% of fairways hit is second since Collin’s debut
  • He is 4th in the last five years with +1.54 Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green

Collin is one of only two players on TOUR over the last five years to average both +0.50 SG Off-the-Tee and +0.90 SG Approach.

Similar to Scottie, Collin has dominated opening rounds. He ranks 5th with 12.32 Strokes Gained in the first round since 2021. In 2023, he gained +7.76 strokes in the first round which is the 8th best round of 2,171 rounds since 2021.

WHAT'S IN THE BAG FOR TEAM TAYLORMADE

WITB GALLERY

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