THE PLAYERS Championship is iconic for many reasons. One of them is the course itself. The creation of Pete Dye’s TPC Sawgrass is known for its difficult design. As the legendary course designer once said, “Life is not fair, so why should I make a course that is fair.”The words can be truly felt on the Floridian greens. However, over the years, there have been numerous changes made to the course. Making the course relatively easier as the years passed by.

It seems the most recent changes made to the course have not been well received by the golfing community. After the first round of THE PLAYERS Championship, many took to their keyboards and shared their discontent, particularly over the appearance of rough around some of its most difficult holes.

Has TPC Sawgrass gone easy on the golfers?

The reaction from the fans was both passionate and quick. Discussions on social media have been raging, and many people have expressed their dissatisfaction. Those most vocal against the rough generally agree that TPC Sawgrass ought to push players to their absolute boundaries and make them accept full responsibility for their shots. Fried Egg Golf, a popular page on X (formerly known as Twitter), sarcastically commented about the roughs that have been introduced on the course and tweeted, “The hazard-lining rough is the star of the show so far.” Followed by an unimpressed emoji.

TPC Sawgrass has long been praised for its risk-reward layout, which forces players to approach its dangers with a combination of care and courage. However, the increased rough around a few significant holes has alarmed both players and spectators. This extra rough seems to operate as a screen, keeping inaccurate shots out of the notorious water hazards on the course.

As it was seen on the 17th hole, during Viktor Hovland’s tee shot, the ball hit the rough line and came to a stop. If it were to be the yesteryears, the ball would have landed in the water. The leniency in the course design was also seen at the No. 18 hole, where Jordan Spieth‘s ball would have taken a dip if not for the rough. Golfers had been rewarded with a short pitch from tall grass instead of a penalty and a drop. Critics claim that because of such changes, the course is no longer as challenging as it was originally intended to be and has lost some of its brutality.

The rough on the TPC Sawgrass is a no-go for the fans

The first round was seen as lackluster by many. It seems as if the fans are going to leave no stone unturned in expressing their disappointment in how the championship is advancing.

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Dan Rapaport shared his take, saying that the weather and greens are so perfect that the rough needs to be shaved off as soon as possible to get the true feel of the course. “TPC Sawgrass needs some teeth,”  he added, hinting at how the sharp edges had been neutered.

Many fans shared the opinion held by Rapaport. In a response to the post, one fan commented that THE PLAYERS would be a spectacular treat if not for the rough. And judging by the likes on his comment, many seem to approve.

Some of the viewers are absolutely aghast at the state of affairs. They seem to be in disbelief that this is one of the most prestigious golf events of the year. One fan believes that this championship should never be compared to the majors.

Another fan made the connection to bowling, saying that even in bowling, the 5th Major has their bumpers up, too.

The fans do not expect such an important event to be so easy. One fan took to calling the course the “Mickey Mouse course.”

Another seemed to dislike it to such an extent that he did the blasphemous act of comparing the course and the game to one being played at the breakaway league.

One can only wait and watch as the event progresses. The rough has been a helping hand in the players’ game, much to the dismay of the golf fans. Who is going to take home the top spot? Only time will tell.

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