PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — The 24 newcomers to The Players Championship probably won’t take much solace in hearing that only one player — Craig Perks in 2002 — has conquered the diabolical Stadium Course at the TPC Sawgrass in his debut over the last four decades.

Only a few days after a heated Arnold Palmer Invitational came down to the final few holes on Sunday, the Florida swing moves from Orlando to Ponte Vedra Beach where the best golfers in the world are ready to tackle one of the sport's great gauntlets.

After a harsh January, which kind of shape will the Players Stadium Course in for the best players in the world? The early word: pristine.