Teeing Off

MY BAG

FOR THE PLAYERSCHAMPIONSHIP

Stephen Ames

"At Sawgrass,I'll have my five-wood in the bag. It gives me the height I need coming intothe par-5s."

DRIVER
Nike SQ Sumo 5000 (9.5°)

Shaft
UST Axiv Core (X flex)

FAIRWAY METALS
Nike SQ2 (13° and 19°)

Shafts
Fujikura Rombax 80B (X flex)

PUTTER
Nike prototype

BALL
Nike One Tour

IRONS
(Three through pitching wedge) Nike Victory Red forged blades

Shafts
True Temper Dynamic Gold X100

WEDGES
Nike Victory Red (54° and 60°)

Shafts
True Temper Dynamic Gold S400

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Stuck in the office? Our live bloggers will follow the action at TPC Sawgrassat Golf.com/presstent

THIS WEEK'S MAIN EVENT

THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Defensive Champion

After his post-Masters tantrum and subsequentpseudoapology, defending Players champ Sergio García was, rightfully, flamed byeveryone who has access to a public forum (which is everyone these days),including GOLF PLUS. Now García returns to TPC Sawgrass, where last year heearned the signature victory of his career, springboarding him to a strongsummer and No. 2 in the World Ranking. The Stadium course, which rewards pureball striking more than brilliant putting, is made for a shot-making savantlike García. So will Sergio find fairways, greens and some mojo, or will he bedragged down by the eddy of ill will swirling in Augusta's wake?

Field Judge

It's a commonly held belief that the Players has thestrongest field of any PGA Tour event, but that's only been true once in thelast decade. Between 1998 and 2008 the Players ranked from first to eighth infield strength, with an average of 77.9 of the top 100 players teeing it up.For the rest of those years, the PGA Championship led the way and had anaverage of 93.5 of the top 100.

PHOTO

CARYN LEVY/PGA TOUR/GETTY IMAGES (AMES)

PHOTO

FRED VUICH (CLUBS AND BALL)

CHART

SLIM FILMS (CHART)

Compiled by Sal Johnson