This week in golf

What: The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Schedule (TV): Thursday-Sunday (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday (Ch. 11)

Course: TPC Sawgrass, Players Stadium Course (7,215 yards, par 72)

Purse: $9.5 million (winner's share: $1.71 million)

Defending champion: Matt Kuchar

Next event: Mobile Bay LPGA Classic, May 16-19, Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Magnolia Grove, The Crossings, Mobile, Ala.

CHAMPIONS TOUR

NOTES

PGA: Tiger Woods is making his first start since tying for fourth in the Masters. He leads the tour with three victories, winning at Torrey Pines, Doral and Bay Hill. Woods won the first of his record three consecutive U.S. Amateur titles in 1994 on the Stadium Course. ... Masters champion Adam Scott is playing for the first time since winning at August. ... Greg Norman set the tournament record in 1994, shooting 63-67-67-67 for a 24-under 264 total. ... Jack Nicklaus is the only three-time champion, winning in 1974 at Atlanta Country Club, 1976 at Inverrary and 1978 at Sawgrass Country Club.