FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 9th, 2017

NOTABLE QUOTES: GOLF CENTRAL LIVE FROM THE PLAYERS – TUESDAY (9 AM-5 PM)

Golf Channel Notable Quotes
Golf Central Live From THE PLAYERS
Tuesday, May 9, 2017 (9 a.m.-5 p.m. ET)
TPC Sawgrass
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

On THE PLAYERS Championship and the renovated TPC Sawgrass
Mark Rolfing – “This golf course does not favor any style of player. I believe half of the field right now could win this championship.”
Notah Begay – “This course has become one of the best finishes in golf. Everything is in play. You have a birdie opportunity on 16, you have a hold your breath moment at 17, and then you hold on for dear life trying to get in the clubhouse at 18.”
Arron Oberholser – “If you want to score well here, you have to take the trouble on off the tee. This golf course also gives you the most chance for disaster around every turn. You can make a double or a triple in a heartbeat. That is what makes this course so unique. You can make birdies and eagles, and you can also make doubles, triples and quads.
Rolfing – “This is the best fan experience on the PGA TOUR.”
Geoff Shackelford – “I feel like we are going to see a new identity for the PLAYERS. We are going to see the players go after some of the holes more aggressively. It is going to make for a more interesting and fun golf course to watch.” 

On the long-term FedExCup Sponsorship Extension and the FedExCup Playoffs
Rolfing – “The big question is when are the FedExCup playoffs going to fit into the schedule. The PGA TOUR, with this length of a deal, now has the luxury of looking at their schedule and ask, ‘Where are these playoffs going to fit in?’ For me, they have to finish before the NFL starts. I think you will see a serious look to get the playoffs to finish a little bit sooner. That is what is going to make them really successful.”
Oberholser – “I think the schedule has to change. I don’t think FedEx would have made this long-term commitment to stay in this spot in the fall. I think the schedule will change.” 

On Dustin Johnson
Begay – “This guy has all of the skills in the modern game that is predicated on power to do exactly what he is doing. Where he has refined his skills are with his short game.”
Rolfing – “Until a year ago, he was not disciplined enough a player to do well on this course.  Everything has changed. He has become one of the most patient, disciplined players on the entire PGA TOUR.”
Rolfing – “He can play any course well now because he understands his game and he is playing much more conservative.”
Billy Kratzert – “The fact that he is going to gear it back a little bit with irons off the tee is going to help him potentially get the job done this week.”

On the 12th hole
Oberholser – “I think we will see 20-25 percent go for it. I think there is too much risk and not enough reward on hitting the driver.”
John Feinstein – “The best thing about the 12th hole is that people are going to be talking about it. People are going to be debating it. People are going to be arguing if there is too much risk and not enough reward. And that’s a good thing.” 

-NBC Sports Group-