Siwoo Kim 'Again 2017'... Thomas "Fifth Major Title Defense"

'The Ultimate Money Festival' The Players Opens Night of 10th, World Stars Gather, Scheffler Marches Toward 2 Consecutive Wins

Siwoo Kim challenges to reclaim the top spot after 5 years at The Players Championship, known as the 'fifth major.'

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] ‘Again 2017’.

Kim Si-woo (27) will challenge to reclaim the top spot for the first time in five years at the PGA Tour’s ‘fifth major,’ The Players Championship, which opens on the night of the 10th (Korean time) at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA (par 72, 7,256 yards). This year, the total prize money is an unprecedented $20 million (24.63 billion KRW), with the winner’s prize reaching a whopping $3.6 million (4.43 billion KRW). Justin Thomas (USA) is defending his title, and world stars including world No. 1 Jon Rahm (Spain) have all gathered.

When Kim Si-woo won in 2017, he shot 3-under par on the final day to secure a commanding 3-shot victory (10-under 278). He also set a new milestone as the youngest champion. Interestingly, in 2020, he led with 7-under par on the first day, but the tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is known to be particularly strong at TPC Sawgrass, having finished tied for 9th last year, raising expectations. Korea is also represented by ‘Shriners Champion’ Im Sung-jae (24) and Lee Kyoung-hoon (31).

Justin Thomas has begun his title defense at The Players Championship, known as the "fifth major."

Locally, the spotlight is on Thomas’s attempt to become the first player to win back-to-back titles since the tournament’s inception in 1974. The performance of ‘Number 2’ Collin Morikawa (USA) is formidable. Despite a lack of wins, he has strong results including the CJ Cup in October last year, which counts towards the 2022 season, and a runner-up finish at the Genesis Invitational in February. At the Genesis Invitational, he made a daily-best 6-under charge on the final day but was stopped by Joaquin Niemann (Chile).

2019 champion Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) has joined the title race. During the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which ended on the 7th, he broke a wedge and sparked controversy by claiming “there is insufficient reward for good shots” and criticizing the course setup as problematic. This time, he needs to show something. ‘Arnold Palmer Champion’ Scottie Scheffler (USA) is on a march for a second consecutive win, and Viktor Hovland (Norway), who finished second, is looking forward to a ‘rematch.’

Another point of interest is the ‘three-win competition’ involving Hideki Matsuyama (Japan). Scheffler has won twice in just three weeks, including the Phoenix Open, while Matsuyama won the Zozo Championship last October and the Sony Open this January. ‘Playoff (PO) Champion’ Patrick Cantlay is eager for his first win. It is unfortunate that ‘Hulk’ Bryson DeChambeau is withdrawing due to a wrist injury. ‘Golf Emperor’ Tiger Woods (all USA) will appear at the Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony held the day before the tournament starts.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.