This is the negative data of the Spanish players in the fifth Grand Slam

This Thursday begins emblematic Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, in Pontevedra (Florida)one that has been considered for several years fifth Grand Slam, The Players Championship (TPC)an event very rich in prizes (25 million $, with 4.5 for the winner), full of history and with participation at the level of ‘majors’.

The TPC has been played since 1974 (success of Jack Nicklaus) and throughout its history it has had a notable Spanish presence, first in the ‘totems’ Seve Ballesteros and Txema Olazábalgoing through Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Gonzalo Fernández Castaño, Rafa Cabrera...and of course with the only champion of our country, Sergio García from Castellón (he was after the play off in 2008) and the Basque Jon Rahm.

However, the emergence of Arabian Super League (LIV Golf) He left Borriol’s player, who also had two runner-up finishes at Sawgrass, out of the game in 2007 (he won Phil Mickelson) and 2015 (made Rickie Fowler), and from this year to Rahm, whose best result was tied for 9th in 2021 and in memory of his retirement due to gastroenteritis in 2023 before starting his second round. Three weeks later, the man from Barrika wore the Green Jacket at the Augusta Masters, his second ‘great’.

Well, pay attention to what José María García has to say: this year, for the first time since the 1997 edition of The Players (it will be the 27th) there will be no Spanish player in the powerful field of players in this great tournament . The Extremaduran Jorge Campillo He is the only Spaniard currently eligible to play on the American PGA Tour but not full-time. So this Thursday on the 1st tee of the amazing course designed by Pete Dye No Spaniards in the running.

Yes, of course, there will be World no. 1 Scottie Schefflerdefending champion (he won with a 5-stroke lead in 2023) and gave a real recital at the Bay Hill Club in Orlando, especially in putting, a club in the bag that in recent times he had a little abandoned .

Scheffler was grouped with Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas (2021 winner) in one of the stellar matches, with Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Viktor Hovlandthe Norwegian who in an impressive final rush of the 2023 season won the FedEx Cup.

This is the 50th edition of the event and the 42nd at TPC Sawgrass, which became the venue in 1982. Scheffler is the first defending champion to arrive at the TPC as world No. 1 since Rory McIlroy in 2020. McIlroy won in 2019 and the event was ultimately canceled the following year due to the Covid pandemic.

There are 22 players making their debut this week, including the Swede Ludwig Aberg10th in the world ranking. Tiger Woods, the 2001 and 2013 champions are not at Sawgrass. Greg Norman He holds the record for total hits with 264 (-24), established in 1994.