Featured Groups: THE PLAYERS Championship

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – For the first time in 17 years at THE PLAYERS Championship, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will be playing partners. Woods and Mickelson have combined for 122 PGA TOUR wins, including three titles at THE PLAYERS. The last time they played together at TPC Sawgrass was in 2001 when Tiger made his “Better than most” putt. The groups were announced Sunday as one of the Featured Groups in the first two rounds this week at TPC Sawgrass. The third member of the group is another past champion at THE PLAYERS, Rickie Fowler. A second Featured Group was also announced, consisting of reigning FedExCup champion Justin Thomas, along with the last two FedExCup champs before him, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy. The last time Woods and Mickelson have been paired in any TOUR event was nearly four years ago in the first two rounds of the PGA Championship at Valhalla in Kentucky. Overall, this will be the 22nd different stroke-play event on TOUR in which they’ve played at least one round together. Two more Featured Groups will be announced when tee times are released. THE PLAYERS Championship: Inside the Field | The First Look | Mickelson’s great escape | Fowler’s fantastic finish PGA TOUR LIVE will provide live streaming coverage not only on competition days but also key events leading up to Thursday’s first round. Featured groups coverage for Thursday and Friday begins at 7:30 a.m. ET, with Featured Hole coverage of the iconic par-3 17th and drivable par-4 12th beginning at 9 a.m. ET. Fans can also access a free preview on Twitter from 7:30 a.m to 9 a.m. both days. Weekend coverage for PGA TOUR LIVE begins at 8:30 a.m. ET. Golf Channel will carry live network coverage Thursday and Friday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET, with NBC showing weekend coverage starting at 2 p.m. PGA TOUR Radio’s coverage begins at noon ET on Thursday and Friday, and 1 p.m. on the weekend days. Here’s more on the announced Featured Groups at TPC Sawgrass, with current FedExCup position in parentheses: Phil Mickelson (4), Rickie Fowler (17), Tiger Woods (53) —Woods won THE PLAYERS not only in 2001 but also in 2013; Mickelson prevailed in 2007; and Fowler closed like a freight train in 2015. Woods’ latest comeback gains steam every time he tees it up; Fowler is chomping at the bit for another huge title after getting so close at Augusta. Mickelson, already a winner this season, is loving the chance to add another title to an incredible career. Tee Times: TBD Justin Thomas (1), Jordan Spieth (29), Rory McIlroy (32) — These young guns have already achieved so much in the game, but they haven’t conquered TPC Sawgrass. It is a reality that burns on them and has the trio primed to find their A game. Thomas continues to lead the FedExCup race in defense of the crown and will be looking to take positive vibes from his T3 in 2016. McIlroy has three top 10s here on his resume – he wants another that comes with a trophy. Spieth finished T4 in his debut in 2014 but has missed the last three cuts. Can he find his putting mojo to kick start his season? Tee Times: TBD  

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