May 12, 2014: Germany’s Martin Kaymer successfully converted his three round lead into a victory with one of the most unlikely pars on the 17th green at the TPC Sawgrass to lift 2014 Players trophy. Former world No. 1 claimed one-shot victory over Jim Furyk in The Players Championship.
On a rain-delayed final, Kaymer signed off with 1-under 71.
Jim Furyk, who shot a fine 66 on Sunday, finished runners-up at The Players Championship. Sergio Garcia closed with a 70 to finish alone in third at 11 under.
Jordan Spieth’s final round 74 dashed all his hopes of winning the Players Championship in his first appearance. The 20-year-old made his first bogey of the tournament on the fifth hole and many followed. Spieth made bogey on No. 8. Kaymer got up-and-down from a bunker for birdie on No. 9. Spieth made another bogey on No. 10 when his wedge bounced over the green, and Kaymer made another superb bunker shot on the par-5 11th for birdie.
It was the 14th victory worldwide for Kaymer. His last win was at the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa at the end of 2012, right after he delivered the crucial point for Europe in its Ryder Cup comeback. Kaymer was No. 1 in the world in February 2011 until he wanted to retool his swing to be able to hit a greater variety of shots. He needed all of them Sunday.
The 29-year-old German’s 13-under 275 finish at The Players places him among elites who have won the biggest event on golf’s strongest tour. Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott are the only other players to win a major, a World Golf Championship and The Players Championship.
A golf.com report said that former world No. 1 and major champion, Kaymer was emotional when asked about winning on Mother’s Day. His mother, Rina, died of cancer in 2008 shortly after Kaymer won the BMW International Open in Germany.
He had a sunflower — her favorite flower — on his golf bag.
- In this article
- Pros
- jim furyk
- martin kaymer
- the players championship
