Rising PGA Tour Star Admits He Avoids Playing TPC Sawgrass Too Often Before The Players Championship
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Composition of silhouette of male golf player over landscape and blue sky with copy space. sport and competition concept digitally generated image. Copyright: xx 1451962
Michael Thorbjornsen lives about 20 minutes from TPC Sawgrass, but the PGA Tour rookie still avoids playing the Stadium Course too often before THE PLAYERS Championship.
Instead, the rookie takes a different approach to preparing for tournaments, especially when it comes to practicing at the Ponte Vedra Beach venue.
Thorbjornsen said he tries not to play the course too often. “Yeah, that is exactly why I don't really get out here too much,” he said, explaining that he tries to avoid getting used to the offseason conditions.
He made this confession at a Saturday news briefing at THE PLAYERS Championship, where he reflected on his turnaround after an opening round that he described as challenging.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 08: Michael Thorbjornsen USA looks over his birdie putt on 2 during the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open on February 8, 2026, at TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona. Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire GOLF: FEB 08 PGA, Golf Herren WM Phoenix Open EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602080114
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 08: Michael Thorbjornsen USA looks over his birdie putt on 2 during the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open on February 8, 2026, at TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona. Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire GOLF: FEB 08 PGA, Golf Herren WM Phoenix Open EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602080114
He makes his home in Jacksonville and has played the Stadium Course only around six times since relocating, even though the PGA Tour headquarters is right off-site.
He said the course is rarely in its tournament condition during the offseason, which can make practice rounds misleading for players preparing for THE PLAYERS Championship.
That approach has also shaped how he prepares away from the Stadium Course during the off-season.
Valley Course Plays Key Role in Preparation
Michael prefers the Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass during the off-season because the greens are "faster and firmer," which helps him prepare for the PGA Tour conditions.
He said fellow player Carl Vilips sometimes lets him know when the course is in good shape before he commits to playing a round.
The strategy is working, as he got through a windy Thursday where he "misclubbed a couple times" and then put himself in a position to win on Sunday.
Thorbjornsen is confident in his mental game and swing, stating that the score did not reflect how well he played early on and that he intends to keep "trying your best."
After an outstanding 67, he is at 10-under par and 3 shots behind Ludvig Åberg and is about to have a tough final round battle.
The final round will show whether Thorbjornsen’s unconventional preparation strategy can help deliver his first major PGA Tour victory at THE PLAYERS Championship.
Read more at Daily Club Golf!
Written by
Abhishek Sharma
Edited by
Pulkit Prabhav