Camilo Villegas and Nicolás Echavarría, on the hunt for The Players, the 'big fifth'

For the first time, two Colombians will be on the tee of the 'big fifth' in world golf. Camilo Villegas and Nicolás Echavarría will be in competition starting this Thursday at The Players, the tournament with the largest purse on the PGA Tour, $25 million. of which, 4.5 will be for the champion. The tournament is played at the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach (Florida, USA). The tournament reaches its 50th edition.

It will be, in the case of Villegas, a big return, after eight years of absence. The Players was the tournament in which the man from Antioquia, now 43 years old, made his first splash on the circuit, finishing in third place in 2006. behind the Canadian Stephen Ames and the South African Retief Goosen. He earned his place thanks to his victory in the Bermuda Championship last year, with which he regained the full card.

“It is one of the 3 courses that I like the most on the PGA Tour. Technically it is incredible, it is in perfect condition, it is a difficult course, a course where you have to think a lot, where you have to hit different shots,” said Villegas.

“Nothing changes and a lot changes. Camilo Villegas is still the same golfer who wants to come play well, represent the country and give his best, I think that on that side there is no change, but one is evolving, he is eight years older, new generations are coming, new players , the fields are different and in terms of personal life we ​​have had ups and downs. I think I am a more mature golfer and person, with more responsibilities, but with the same purpose of enjoying what I do,” added Camilo, who will play the tournament for the eleventh time.

Echavarría seeks revenge in his second presentation

Echavarría, for his part, will seek revenge after missing the cut in his debut last year, when he had just debuted his record as a winner on the PGA Tour, when he won the Puerto Rico Open.

At 29 years old, Nico arrives at a very good moment, with three consecutive Top 25: He finished in 24th place at the Mexico Open, took 21st place in the Cognizant Classic and has just finished in 15th place in Puerto Rico.

“The truth is, consistency is happening thanks to more experience. I am feeling more comfortable in the places where I am playing, so there are more rounds under par, I hope to continue like this and enjoy this beautiful sport,” said Echavarría during the presentation of the second edition of his tournament, the Nico Open. which will be played from April 11 to 13 in Medellín.

World number one, American Scottie Scheffler, will defend the title he won last year. He had not won an official tournament since then, until this weekend he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He seeks to be the first player to win The Players in consecutive years.

Jose Orlando Ascencio

Sports Deputy Editor

@josasc

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