The players: Lee Westwood’s performance for centuries, but Justin Thomas is a deserving champion, says Euan Murray | Golf News

The evergreen Lee Westwood achieved a performance of technical excellence, zero and experience, but The Players delivered a well-deserved champion Justin Thomas. Ewen Murray looks back at an important week at Sawgrass …

The dust has now settled on Sawgrass ‘unique Players’ Tournament and, with the introduction of 10 to 20% of the usual spectator presence, the atmosphere of the competition has returned and the future is beginning to shine. look a little brighter. Add to that, in less than two weeks, all golfers will be back on their fairways across Britain and the change of the clock means we can play into a warm spring evening. and summer.

I was ashamed that I had a negative outlook as a player, always looking at the odds instead of the highs. When I finished my first career early at the age of 35, I promised myself that I would continue to pursue the positive things and, despite perhaps the worst year of our lives. , showers of sunlight appear as we emerge from this pandemic.

I think we all enjoy golf and enjoy the game more than we did before. For the first time in a long time, the courses have been relaxed and, although the green workers could only carry out essential repairs through the locks, many courses will never fail. look better.

In the coming weeks, the monthly back coin will be working together to hit the summer, and members and visitors will meet again for a drink and a chat before and after their visit. We hope that this progress will continue and that, without any problems, we will return to regularity and a healthy future.

Sawgrass always delivers and there were many amazing moments over the four days. One of the highlights for many was the emotional and hilarious scenes late Saturday afternoon at the famous 17th hole with Lee Westwood with his girlfriend and chaddy, Helen Storey.

After walking around the edge of the lake to an elegant shout from those lucky enough to be there, then up the path to the peninsula’s plains, Lee stood over his 20-foot putt for a birdie. Downhill, left to right and in for two. Turning to Helen, double worms and an explosion of fingers. Smiles from everyone, high roses from American fans really pleased for an Englishman who, at the time, was treated as one of their own.

Real golf fans were delighted to be back watching the sport’s top players at one of the top tournament venues in the world. I don’t often feel emotional, but I honestly felt that was a big turning point in those difficult times and suddenly the road ahead was a little clearer.

Many of you would have looked into Sunday afternoon hoping for a home win, just like you did the week before at Bay Hill. It wasn’t going to be, but at the age of 47, Lee is back within twenty years of the world, proving that golf has been a game for centuries. His golfing over the past fortnight has been a combination of technical excellence, zero and experience. There will be many who hope it goes one thing better at Augusta National next month.

In Justin Thomas, a champion deserves a PGA Tour. The last two months have not been easy. His poor choice of words in Hawaii coupled with the terrible loss of his grandfather would have disappointed and saddened him. A close-knit golf unit, his grandfather and father, Mike, have been advising Justin from a young age and it was heartening to see his family take their latest hit with the final green.

His golf was over the weekend, 64 and 68 sublime. Some thought he had ridden a fortune at the 72nd hole and some may have been right. The left turn came early in his plane and ended dangerously close to the water. Was he aiming to end there? Of course not, but that tee view is one of the hardest in the game and the job is to get it done.

That’s why I chose Rory McIlroy’s effort in winning the event two years ago as the picture of the year. Justin’s ball was back standing and he was playing for a slow hook with his trifles. Not to be forgotten, he traveled 312 yards until he was well beaten. I think he got off the drive at the 16th, close to the toe, short carry and 65 yards of running.

My fellow first-rate reporter, Paul McGinley and I agree not to agree with that one, but Paul was 100% right in saying that Thomas had the confidence to shape those views as his own. required under the worst pressure. When playing against the best players in the game, on one of the toughest courses, for one of the most prestigious titles, even the best ones need a little luck. Thomas deserved it.

Another good performance came from the ever-growing Victor Perez. After returning to the course to make the cut on the mark Saturday morning, two impressive finals lifted him through the field to ninth to earn Ryder World Cup points. The Frenchman is in good shape to make a dozen Patrick Harrington at Whistling Straits in September.

The Honda Classic is next and next week the WGC Match Play returns, with the PGA Tour staying in Texas before turning its attention to this year’s flagship, The Masters. The pitches won’t be as strong as we’ve been lately as many of the players have different options ahead of prime. Some like to play, others relax. Some will play one of three, others two, very few will play all three.

Since the briefs tick off for those who couldn’t play due to the restrictions, I wish you every success when you return to the first tee. It’s been a long time since you opened your shoulders so a word of advice. Put a temporary ball in your pocket … just in case. Good golf!