“It’s crazy” - Nico Echavarria, others ready for Players Championship debut

Modified Mar 09, 2023 10:55 GMT

Puerto Rico Open - Final Round — Nico Echavarria won his first PGA Tour title at Puerto Rico Open

A week ago, Nico Echavarria wouldn't have expected himself to be playing at The Players Championship. The only possibility of him being at TPC Sawgrass was if Tiger Woods would compete at The Players.

A week later, Tiger Woods isn't competing at TPC Sawgrass, but Echavarria is still here as the 28-year-old Colombian won his first PGA Tour title at the Puerto Rico Open.

“It’s crazy. And here we are. Tiger’s not playing, and I am here,” Echavarria said on Tuesday.

Echavarria wasn't very hopeful of making it to The Players as only a win could help him and given he missed the cut in his previous four starts, it was understandable that the Colombian wasn't high on confidence.

However, Echavarria found his rhythm on Friday itself and finished the week with a two-stroke victory over Akshay Bhatia at 21 under.

Alongside the 28-year-old, 31 other players will feature in the 144-player field at TPC Sawgrass for the first time in their careers. Tyson Alexander, who earned his PGA Tour card in 2022 through the Korn Ferry Tour, will play in The Players Championship for the first time.

England's Aaron Rai earned a spot in The Players Championship by finishing in the top 125 in the FedExCup. The PGA Tour rookie finished No. 94 in the 2022 FedExCup.