PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – The 2025 Players Championship officially activated Tuesday. Rob Gronkowski – yes, that Rob Gronkowski – was on the bag for Will Zalatoris. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan dodged questions like Neo. News of Tiger Woods’ latest injury interrupted Ludvig Åberg’s press conference. TPC Sawgrass was filled to the brim with players and spectators alike following a rainy and windy Monday that shut down facilities.
As Dr. Frankenstein once said, “It is alive.”
The PGA Tour’s flagship event is beginning to feel more like it as the tournament fast approaches. Most players have fulfilled sponsor and media obligations – though Rory McIlroy is scheduled to speak Wednesday morning – and can now keep the main thing the main thing.
For most of the world’s best, that means putting the beginning touches on their preparations. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and world No. 3 Xander Schauffele shared a tee time on Tuesday, navigating the back nine at TPC Sawgrass in lockstep. They’ll see the front nine Wednesday. McIlroy made an appearance alongside his good friend Shane Lowry. That’s not breaking any news.
There are still one day in between the start of the week and the start of the tournament, but Tuesday revealed plenty about what to expect.
Morikawa hears you
Morikawa enters this week coming off the disappointment of his runner-up result at the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a clear chip on his shoulder. While he did not admit to hearing the noise of “he can’t close,” he did admit that he reads what people are saying about him. Morikawa said, “I think I know where I’m at with my golf. I just have to win. I have to be able to close it out. For me, that’s going to come down to me. I’m the one hitting the shot.”
J.T. admits he’s slow
Pace of play was a hot topic on Tuesday. Players are privy to their own numbers regarding their pace, leading Thomas to publicly admit that he is on the slower side. He stated, “I’m the first to admit I’m on the slow side of players. It bothers me, but I’ve talked to many officials about it.”
Monahan puts up a double-double
Members of the media attempted to pry any semblance of news out of Jay Monahan regarding ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Despite their efforts, Monahan maintained his focus on the PGA Tour.
Getting back up to speed
World No. 3 Xander Schauffele returned to action following a rib injury that sidelined him for some time. He shared his nerves about returning to the course after the injury, noting, “I had an offseason, and I played Sentry, which is usually a cozy warm-up and then nothing.”
Are you saying ’tee’ or ’tree?'
TPC Sawgrass has notable changes this year, including a relocated tree to give players an extra variable on the course. Players may need more practice after such changes.
