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Field Study: A look at each player in THE PLAYERS field

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Reigning Masters champ Phil Mickelson is looking to win his second PLAYERS Championship this week.

May. 5, 2010
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- In terms of strength of field, Jim Furyk thinks he knows where THE PLAYERS Championship ranks among all PGA TOUR events.

"Second to none," he said. And that includes the four majors, the local resident is quick to point out.

So of the 145 players in this week's field at TPC Sawgrass, who has the advantage? Here's a look at each pro who'll tee off in Thursday's first round (players listed in order of Official World Golf Ranking).

MORE PLAYERS: Expert Picks | Sleepers | Power Rankings | Fantasy Insider | Inside the Field

Field Study: 2010 PLAYERS Championship

Rk.	Player	PLAYERS starts	Best finish
1	Tiger Woods	12	Win (2001)
Don't expect a second-straight missed cut. He'll be ready.
2	Phil Mickelson	16	Win (2007)
He could take over No. 1 with a win -- think he'll be motivated?
4	Lee Westwood	8	T5 (1998)
His best finish came in his debut, but he's a much more seasoned player now.
5	Jim Furyk	14	T3 (2006)
Ponte Vedra residents don't usually do well here but this two-time winner in 2010 could buck the trend.
6	Ian Poulter	6	2nd (2009)
He should come in with confidence after picking up his first TOUR win in Tucson this year.
7	Ernie Els	16	T6 (2008)
Can the Big Easy make it three wins in Florida this year and add to his FedExCup lead?
8	Paul Casey	5	T10 (2004)
Recovered from his rib injury, the Englishman already has three top-10s this year
9	Rory McIlroy	1	MC (2009)
He's certainly got momentum after last week's runaway win at Quail Hollow.
10	Martin Kaymer	1	T55 (2009)
Won in Abu Dhabi earlier this year but has missed his last two cuts.
12	Padraig Harrington	9	2nd (2003, 2004)
Sunday's 68 at Quail Hollow for a third top-10 of the season should send him to Ponte Vedra with confidence.
13	Camilo Villegas	4	T3 (2006)
Already a winner this year, the young Colombian has two top-20s in four starts on the Stadium Course.
14	Geoff Ogilvy	8	T16 (2004)
He successfully defended his title at the SBS Championship but hasn't had a top-10 since.
16	Robert Allenby	13	T4 (2003)
His fairways and greens game should play well here but he's only had one top-10.
17	Hunter Mahan	3	T40 (2005)
That win at the Waste Management Phoenix Open should be a confidence-builder.
18	Henrik Stenson	4	1st (2009)
With three top-10s on the Stadium Course, the Swede is always a threat.
19	Luke Donald	7	2nd (2005)
New dad is quietly having a very solid season and is coming off a tie for third at Hilton Head.
20	Y.E. Yang	1	MC (2009)
Finished eighth at the Masters and won the Volvo China Open the following week.
21	Sean O'Hair	4	11th (2007)
He's working to regain some consistency after posting his only top-10 of the year in his first start.
22	Charl Schwartzel	1	T58 (2007)
With two wins and a second at Doral, this young South African is expecting a better showing than three years ago.
23	Kenny Perry	21	T3 (2004)
Another whose only top-10 came in his first start, Perry couldn't build on his opening 66 in Charlotte.
24	Angel Cabrera	7	T14 (2009)
He plays tough courses well -- witness his third-place last week at Quail Hollow.
25	Sergio Garcia	10	1st (2008)
The Spaniard needs to channel the player who finished second and first back-to-back here.
26	Stewart Cink	12	T3 (2007)
Reigning Open champion started strong but is looking for his first top-10 since Accenture Match Play.
27	Nick Watney	3	T63 (2008)
Has never had much success on the Stadium Course but he does have two top-10s in his last four starts this year.
28	Dustin Johnson	2	T79 (2009)
If this big-hitter can keep it in the fairway, he could contend for his fourth TOUR title.
29	Lucas Glover	4	MC (2006-09)
With a 76.75 scoring average, he's never had much success at TPC Sawgrass.
30	Robert Karlsson	2	T6 (2007)
Won in Dubai in January, but that's his only top-10 of the season.
31	Alvaro Quiros	0	N/A (N/A)
Dashing Spaniard brings momentum into his PLAYERS debut after Sunday's win at the Open de Espana.
32	Ross Fisher	1	MC (2009)
He had the lowest combined aggregate score in the majors last year but has found the going tougher in 2010.
33	Zach Johnson	5	T8 (2005)
He's only missed one cut this season but is waiting to make that big splash.
34	Matt Kuchar	5	T14 (2009)
When he's made the cut at TPC Sawgrass, he's been in the mix. Closed with a 68 last year.
35	K.J. Choi	8	T16 (2006)
Has yet to miss a cut in 2010 and came up big twice -- finishing second at Transitions and fourth at the Masters.
37	Tim Clark	7	T9 (2009)
Started 2010 on a strong note with his eighth runner-up but hasn't had a top-10 since leaving the West Coast.
41	Francesco Molinari	0	N/A (N/A0
Young Italian has finished 10th or better in two of his last three starts in Europe.
42	Vijay Singh	17	2nd (2001)
Not having a great year but he always seems to get up for this home "game."
44	Adam Scott	8	1st (2004)
Maybe those practice rounds with the red-hot Rory McIlroy will free up Scott again.
45	Kevin Na	4	T3 (2009)
Picked up the third runner-up finish of his career at Bay Hill this year.
46	Thongchai Jaidee	1	MC (2009)
Posted his fourth straight top-10 at the Ballentine's Championship two weeks ago.
48	Oliver Wilson	0	N/A (N/A)
Still looking for his first victory; making his PLAYERS debut.
50	Graeme McDowell	2	T40 (2005)
Played well during the Florida swing, then snapped a string of two missed cuts with a T8 in China.
51	Rickie Fowler	0	N/A (N/A)
Hot young rookie makes his debut on the heels of two straight top-10s.
52	Ben Crane	5	T5 (2009)
Quiet since he won in San Diego, Crane has a comfort zone at TPC Sawgrass.
53	Mike Weir	10	T14 (2009)
In the midst of another solid, if not spectacular season.
54	Ryan Moore	3	T27 (2008)
Snappy dresser played well at the Masters but will he wear a tie this week?
57	David Toms	17	T9 (2009)
One of the game's most solid performers is looking to end a four-year victory drought.
58	J.B. Holmes	4	T10 (2008)
Two seconds and a third this year; work with Dave Stockton on his putting has really paid off.
59	Stephen Ames	11	1st (2006)
Canadian pays well on the Stadium Course with three top-10s.
60	Steve Marino	3	T79 (2009)
Another solid season with four top-20s in his last five starts.
61	Brian Gay	8	T32 (2008)
Two-time winner in 2009 probably gives up too much in length to succeed on the Stadium Course.
63	Justin Rose	6	T22 (2009)
Can he continue his success from the Florida Swing? He was third at the Honda Classic and T13 in Tampa.
65	Jason Bohn	4	T27 (2006)
Wire-to-wire winner in New Orleans should come in with confidence.
67	Scott Verplank	17	T2 (2005)
Missed cuts in his last two starts don't bode well.
68	Rory Sabbatini	10	T27 (2008)
Finished second at the SBS Championship but a T14 in Hilton Head is his best since.
70	Bubba Watson	3	T37 (2009)
Has a tie for second and solo third already this year; his length will be an asset.
72	Jason Dufner	1	T32 (2009)
Coming to Ponte Vedra off a rare missed cut after tying for seventh in New Orleans the previous week.
73	Justin Leonard	15	1st (1998)
Last year's tie for 32nd stopped a string of four missed cuts at THE PLAYERS.
74	Chad Campbell	7	T6 (2003)
A win would give the big Texan the TOUR's two showcase events.
76	Heath Slocum	7	T44 (2007)
A win here for Slocum would be in the Fred Funk mode.
79	Jerry Kelly	14	4th (2001)
Cashed a lot of checks this year but still looking for his first top-10 this season.
81	Bill Haas	3	T72 (2007)
Breakthrough victory came at the Bob Hope Classic this year.
82	Ben Curtis	6	T22 (2009)
After four missed cuts at TPC Sawgrass, he's improved the last two years.
83	John Senden	7	T22 (2005)
Best finish this year came at Doral where he tied for 11th.
84	Marc Leishman	0	N/A (N/A)
Played in his first Masters this year; now the newlywed makes his PLAYERS debut.
85	Brandt Snedeker	2	T12 (2007)
Started the season strong with two top-10s but has struggled in his last four starts.
87	Bo Van Pelt	5	T8 (2006)
Missed four of five cuts at TPC Sawgrass but comes with momentum after top-fives in last two starts.
89	Bryce Molder	0	N/A (N/A)
PLAYERS rookie has four top-10s this year but missed his last two cuts.
90	Davis Love III	24	1st (1992, 2003)
Played in the final group on Sunday at Quail Hollow but was left in Rory McIlroy's dust.
94	Derek Lamely	0	N/A (N/A)
Leading candidate for Rookie of the Year after that win in Puerto Rico.
96	John Rollins	7	T8 (2006)
Consistent season has seen him post five top-25s, including a T8 at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
98	Charles Howell III	8	T32 (2003)
Maybe he can change his luck at TPC Sawgrass after three top-10s this season.
101	Martin Laird	1	T71 (2009)
Hasn't been able to build on success from last year when the Scot won his first PGA TOUR event.
102	Mathew Goggin	4	T20 (2007)
Aussie faces a daunting task -- he hasn't made a cut in his last four starts.
103	Brian Davis	5	T5 (2009)
That playoff loss at Hilton Head was no fluke; Englishman tied for fifth here last year.
105	Paul Goydos	11	2nd (2008)
Ryder Cup assistant playing well again this year with consecutive top-5 finishes on the West Coast.
108	Kevin Sutherland	12	T6 (2004)
Picked up his first top-10 of the season two weeks ago in New Orleans.
111	Ryan Palmer	4	T75 (2007)
He's missed three of four cuts at TPC Sawgrass as well as his last four of the season.
113	Vaughn Taylor	5	T8 (2006)
Lost in a playoff at the Shell Houston Open but has missed his last two cuts.
114	Ricky Barnes	0	N/A (N/A)
With two top-10s in his lasr three starts and a tie for 22nd in Charlotte, he could surprise.
116	Mark Wilson	3	T42 (2008)
Coming off his best finish of the year in a solid performance at Quail Hollow.
118	George McNeill	2	MC (2008, 2009)
Florida State man should be comfortable in home state but has only broken par once on the Stadium Course.
119	Pat Perez	7	T3 (2006)
Best finish came in first event of the year with a tie for 10th at the SBS Championship.
124	Nick O'Hern	5	T24 (2005)
TPC Sawgrass should suit this shot-maker but his record here isn't stellar.
126	Fredrik Jacobson	6	T22 (2006)
Missed the cut at Quail Hollow but was 22nd or higher in three previous starts.
132	D.J. Trahan	4	T51 (2008)
Momentum after six top-20s halted by his two worst finishes of the year.
140	Andres Romero	2	MC (2008, 2008)
Scoring average of 75.25 on the Stadium Course doesn't bode well for the young Argentine.
148	Greg Chalmers	4	T9 (2000)
That fifth place in New Orleans should give him some confidence as he closed with three rounds in the 60s.
153	Charlie Wi	2	T63 (2008)
Almost halfway through to his fourth straight $1-million season.
154	Charley Hoffman	3	T37 (2009)
Has the length to tame TPC Sawgrass but can he find enough fairways.
155	Ryuji Imada	4	T45 (2009)
Already has two more top-10s than he did in a disappointing 2009 season.
157	Jonathan Byrd	7	T16 (2007)
Quiet year for the South Carolinian with one top-10 and three MC in his last three starts.
166	Boo Weekley	3	T21 (2008)
Those two wins at Harbour Town show he can play Pete Dye courses well.
167	Jeff Overton	2	T37 (2009)
Made a spirited charge in New Orleans, closing with a 66.
168	Jason Day	0	N/A (N/A)
Young Aussie has finished 25th or better in three of his last four tournaments.
170	J.P. Hayes	8	T6 (2007)
Got into contention at Quail Hollow with a 64 on Friday but couldn't pick up his fourth top-10 of the year.
171	Nathan Green	4	T16 (2007)
SOlid if unspectacular season to follow up on his breakthrough victory in 2009.
172	Brendon de Jonge	0	N/A (N/A0
Third top-10 of the season came before a home crowd in Charlotte as he closed with a 66 at Quail Hollow.
173	Webb Simpson	1	MC (2009)
Posted his third top-20 in Hilton Head but has struggled the last two weeks.
174	Briny Baird	7	4th (2008)
Two of his last four starts have found him finish in the top 20.
176	Kevin Streelman	1	MC (2009)
Last year's Kodak Challenge winner is looking for his first TOUR victory.,
177	Alex Prugh	0	N/A (N/A)
Has cooled off after posting three top-10s in his first four starts.
179	John Mallinger	3	T3 (2009)
Opened with a 66 and hung around all week last year; scoring average of 72.50 here is solid.
180	Woody Austin	11	T21 (2008)
It's been feast or famine for Austin this year with one top-10 and missed cuts in his last two starts.
182	Cameron Beckman	5	T26 (2004)
Picked up third TOUR win in Mexico this year but has missed four of five cuts since.
183	James Nitties	0	N/A (N/A0
Having trouble following up solid rookie campaign; has missed 10 of 12 cuts.
186	Kevin Stadler	1	T15 (2009)
With three top-10s this year and confidence gained here last year, the baby Walrus might be a threat.
193	D.A. Points	0	N/A (N/A)
Rounds in the 60s have been tough to come by -- he's only had two in his last 22 rounds.
198	Aaron Baddeley	6	T9 (2009)
Still looking for his first top-10 of the season but last year's PLAYERS performance should give him confidence.
201	Trevor Immelman	3	Mc (2003, 2007, 2009)
Finding his rhythm after offseason wrist surgery; hasn't missed a cut since his first event of the year.
203	Tim Petrovic	6	T15 (2008)
Solid performer on the Stadium Course who has three rounds in the 60s and nothing higher than 76.
205	Troy Matteson	3	T73 (2008)
Two-time winner in Las Vegas needs some good luck soon -- he's missed five of his last six cuts.
211	Chris Couch	1	MC (2007)
Much more solid player now than the one who won in New Orleans in 2006 with two ties for fourth already in 2010.
216	John Merrick	2	T27 (2008)
Record at TPC Sawgrass isn't bad but hasn't finished higher than 48th in his last 10 starts.
219	Brett Quigley	7	T6 (2008)
Has had five runner-up finishes in his career but hasn't come close to a top-10 this year.
221	Scott McCarron	112	T44 (2001)
Played Quail Hollow well last week, tying for seventh, so he's ready for another tough course.
222	Jeff Klauk	1	T14 (2009)
Grew up playing TPC Sawgrass and will have his brother on the bag.
223	J.J. Henry	8	T42 (2008)
That tie for seventh at Quail Hollow should be a confidence-builder for Henry who's on the upswing this year.
229	Alex Cejka	4	T9 (2009)
Almost caught lightning in the bottle last year as he took the lead into the final round.
234	Bob Estes	19	T17 (2005)
Texan's career scoring average on the Stadium Course is 73.51.
237	Scott Piercy	1	T22 (2009)
Has found his sophomore season tougher going with nothing highre than 53rd in his last six months.
240	Troy Merritt	0	N/A (N/A)
Only had Wednesday to prepare after Fred Couples withdrew.
248	Lee Janzen	15	1st (1995)
Making his return to TPC Sawgrass after five year absence and coming off fourth in New Orleans.
258	Matt Bettencourt	1	MC (2009)
Has struggled this year with a tie for 39th his best finish of the season.
249	Kris Blanks	0	N/A (N/A)
Nearly won in Puerto Rico and tied for fifth in Hilton Head byt has missed his last two cuts.
261	Michael Letzig	1	T45 (2009)
Hasn't finished higher than 24th this season and the Stadium Course can be a challenge.
263	Roland Thatcher	0	N/A (N/A)
Tenth-place finish in New Orleans should be a confidence builder as he makes his PLAYERS debut.
275	Richard S. Johnson	1	MC (2008)
Played well in Mexico, finishing fourth, but needs a good year since his exemption is up in 2010.
280	Steve Flesch	11	T38 (2000)
If this were the Masters, where he's had two top-sixes in the last three years, Flesch would be golden.
282	Michael Bradley	7	T14 (1997)
Broke a 10-year PLAYERS drought last season; hasn't built on last year's success when he won third TOUR event.
296	Jeff Quinney	3	3rd (2008)
Didn't finish lower than sixth in his first two appearances at the Stadium Course but has missed his last four cuts.
297	Daniel Chopra	5	T14 (2009)
New dad of twins has struggled this year, cashing checks in just three of 11 starts.
301	Bill Lunde	0	N/A (N/A)
Has had a tough year -- followed a tie for 10th with three MCs, one WD and a tie for 51st last week.
307	Nicholas Thompson	2	T21 (2008)
Needs to dwell on that tie for seventh in New Orleans rather than that 81 on Friday in Charlotte.
315	Jimmy Walker	0	N/A (N/A0
Making his PLAYERS debut on the heels of three consecutive early exits.
317	Ted Purdy	3	T16 (2009)
Looking to end a five-year victory drought but a tie for 13th in Mexico is his best of the year.
326	Chris Stroud	0	N/A (N/A0
Shot 8 under combined in his last two starts which should keep him moving in the right direction,
333	Greg Owen	2	T22 (2006)
Needs to shake off that closing 78 in Charlotte.
349	James Driscoll	1	T27 (2006)
Returning after a three-year absence; his finish in 2006 would've been better had it not been for a 77 on Sunday.
412	Harrison Frazar	9	T33 (2000)
He's missed the cut in his last eight starts so the Stadium Course could be trouble.
N/A	Fred Funk	19	1st (2005)
Former champ hits fairways and greens but is still on the mend from knee surgery.
N/A	Jay Haas	28	2nd (2003)
When he tees it up on Thursday will have played in more PLAYERS than anyone -- his son Bill is in the field, too.