Tiger Woods played another nine holes at The Players Championship at Sawgrass Country Club Wednesday in preparation for the start of this year’s tournament on Thursday, May 7, 2009. 

As he did on Tuesday, Tiger had more trouble off the tee on Wednesday and his disgust visibly showed on hole 18 with slumping shoulders and a grimace on his face. Whether he’ll get his game back in shape for an 8:10 a.m. tee time Thursday is anyone’s guess. Although he has won the tournament once in 2001, he traditionally has not played well at The Players. 

On Wednesday, he was paired with Jacksonville area resident Jim Furyk and the two seemed to have a fun time, despite Tigers’ woes off the tee. Tiger did chip in off the green on No. 14 earlier in the day. 

To see more photos of both Tuesday and Wednesday’s activities at the tournament, click on the gallery above and select the two Players galleries.

By LAMAR THAMES

Florida has three of the most scenic golf courses on the PGA Tour and none is more visually pleasing than The Players Championship, the annual extravaganza in Northeast Florida.

 Now held the first week in May (7-10), The Players Championship is easily one of the most spectator-friendly tournaments on the Tour and its three closing holes rival some of the more prestigious golfing sites in scenic beauty and viewing satisfaction.

 Except for perhaps during the last two hours on a Sunday, you can find a viewing spot behind the green  on the infamous hole No. 17 and easily track your favorite players over those last three holes.

 Of course, tracking the world’s most famous golfers such as Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson is never easy but I did track Tiger one time from a strategic viewing spot behind No. 17, the diabolical water hole that has spelled doom for many championship contenders on the last day of the tournament. Read the rest of this entry »