GOLF.AI • Mar 14, 2026

Sawgrass Guillotine Claims Stars

TPC Sawgrass once again lived up to its reputation as the great equalizer, with the 36-hole cut acting as a guillotine that fell on major champions, Ryder Cup veterans, and fan favorites. The penal design and infamous closing stretch proved that reputation means nothing at the PGA Tour's flagship event, sending a host of stars packing for the weekend.

The most dramatic meltdown belonged to Harris English. After a triple-bogey on the island green 17th on Thursday, his tournament came to a catastrophic end on the 18th hole Friday. He hit two balls into the water, carding a quadruple-bogey that led to his first missed cut in over a year.

Adding a poignant human element to the raw disappointment was Gary Woodland. Continuing his courageous public journey dealing with PTSD after brain surgery, Woodland missed the cut at a venue where he has historically struggled. His early exit underscored the emotional grind of competing at the highest level while navigating profound personal challenges.

For Ryder Cup star Ben Griffin, the missed cut highlighted a continuing slump. After a breakout season last year, Griffin's scorecard of 70-78 was another sign of his struggle to find form in 2026, as he continues losing strokes both off the tee and on approach.

The high-profile casualties reinforce the core identity of THE PLAYERS Championship as the Tour's most democratic and difficult test, validating the drama of the cut—a key differentiator from other professional circuits.