By Ross Mazin
Cameron Smith is you’re 2022 Players Championship winner. What a come-from-behind win. He was way down in the final rounds as he was two strokes behind heading into the final round. His way of playing is unchallenged because he is cool, calm, and collected on the course.
The Players Championship is a test of mental toughness and golf aptitude. This is high-caliber golf at its finest, and Cameron Smith never showed signs of fatigue. Not everyone can say they’ve won one of the most challenging courses in the country. He has slowly become one of my favorite golfers to watch on the tour because he is humble, and his style of play is unlike any other player on the tour.
The Championship was held at TPC Sawgrass, which opened fall of 1982. It was designed explicitly for the Player’s Championship to challenge a golfer’s mental and physical fitness. The par 3, 137 yard 17th hole, also known as the Island Green. This hole is its most recognizable hole. This is my opinion, the most famous golf hole. It would be best if you were accurate as this green plays fast. If you are four yards over the pin, you are in the water on this round. Accuracy counts on this hole as it has eaten the balls of many talented golfers.
This year’s tour field has been nothing short of spectacular, and I love every minute of it. Every player has earned their place. My three favorites are Sam Burns, Justin Thomas, and Cameron Smith.
Sam Burns is a more meticulous golfer when on the course. He tries to play it safe more than taking risks. Justin Thomas is just flat-out excellent on the course. His long drives and hunger for competition have made him one of the most feared golfers playing today. Cameron Smith is a fantastic golfer, in my opinion. As I said above, he is very humble and takes it how it lies. He has proven he a force to be reckoned with, and expect to see more of this play soon.
This course has had its fair share of jaw-dropping moments in its history. Here are some of the ones I feel are the best.
1. Calvin Pete birdieing the first two holes and the last four and winning by three shots against the great Jack Nickalus in 1985.
2. A fan taking a swim on the 17th hole while Jeff Sluman was on the second playoff hole. Sluman had the chance to putt but ultimately bogeyed the 18th hole and lost. The fan was ultimately gathered from the water and fined for his actions.
3. Nick Price and the most incredible shot of his life on the 17th hole and making a birdie in the 1993 Players.
All around, congratulations to Cameron Smith. I think Justin Rose will end up winning the next tournament which is the World Golf Championship- Dell Technologies Cup. The field will be extensive like this tournament and fun to watch.
Come check out the Live debut of The 19th hole on April 7th, 2022, at 8 pm live on YouTube.
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