Who has momentum ... and who doesn't?

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Momentum level isn't always a true indicator of future success. And at a venue such as the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, unpredictability is generally the prevailing flavor.

That's because the course sets up for no particular style. Look at the list of winners at THE PLAYERS Championship. It ranges from the bombers to the shorter hitters, from the superstars to the biggest surprises.

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"Part of the allure ... in this championship is the diversity of players who have won," NBC golf analyst Roger Maltbie said Wednesday.

Defending champion Tim Clark was last year's unexpected winner, claiming his first victory in his 205th career PGA TOUR start. He thinks the switch from a March date to May has the course playing firmer (instead of soft and wet) and therefore negates the bomber's advantage.

"Over the last few years with it nice and firm, it certainly doesn't favor one style of play," Clark said. "... Anyone has a chance to win."

Of course, players who are in form coming into this week's PLAYERS Championship theoretically should have an advantage. That's why we looked at each player in the field and rated their momentum level going into Thursday's first round. The rating is highly subjective, and one man's momentum could be another man's struggles. Still, you get the sense of who's producing the best results coming in.

Yet Clark showed last year that momentum -- on paper, at least -- doesn't always hold true. He had missed the cut at Augusta National and finished 63rd at Harbour Town in his two starts prior to last year's win.

It's that unpredictability factor that will make things exciting this week. As NBC's Johnny Miller said: "Nobody owns this golf course ... It's really a fun championship and this golf course is kind of the star, if you ask me."

2011 PLAYERS: Momentum level

A look at each of the players entering this week's tournament at TPC Sawgrass

ADAMS, Blake Hasn't had a top-10 finish this year; comes off MC at Wells Fargo ALLENBY, Robert T6 at Shell Houston but hasn't contended in last three starts AMES, Stephen Past PLAYERS champ has two MCs in his last four starts APPLEBY, Stuart Aussie veteran has missed the cut in his last five starts ATWAL, Arjun Hasn't had a top-10 finish all year but has cashed in last 3 starts BADDELEY, Aaron T4 at Shell Houston and two other top-15 finishes in last 4 starts BARNES, Ricky T4 at Heritage but shot 77-70 to miss cut at Wells Fargo BECKMAN, Cameron Has missed cut in four of his past five starts BETTENCOURT, Matt Withdrew last week due to allergy issues; no top 10 since Honda BLANKS, Kris Missed cut in last two starts; no top-10s this year BOHN, Jason No top-10s this year and comes off T33 at Wells Fargo BRADLEY, Keegan T9 at Valero and T26 at Zurich offset by MC at Heritage, Wells Fargo BRADLEY, Michael Hasn't been in contention in four starts following Puerto Rico win BYRD, Jonathan Hyundai champion comes off playoff loss at Wells Fargo CABRERA, Angel Tough to expect much after undergoing surgery earlier this month CAMPBELL, Chad He's made seven straight cuts but just two top-20s in that span CASEY, Paul Won on Euro Tour in January but not much to shout about on PGA TOUR CEJKA, Alex No top-10s this year; best finish was T13 at Bob Hope in January CHALMERS, Greg Was on a hot streak until he missed cut at Wells Fargo CHAPPELL, Kevin His T2 at Valero is sandwiched by five missed cuts CHOI, K.J. Three consecutive top-10s for the Korean veteran; watch out! CINK, Stewart His T9 at Wells Fargo was his first top-10 of the season CLARK, Tim Defending champ says he won't be 100 percent healthy this week COLLINS, Chad No top-10 finishes, six missed cuts this year CONNELL, Michael Has missed the cut in six of his last seven starts COUCH, Chris Hasn't missed a cut and has three top-10s, none in last 3 starts CRANE, Ben T6 two weeks ago at Heritage; track record here makes him one to watch CURTIS, Ben No top-10s this year and has missed cut in three of last five starts DAVIS, Brian Has made six consecutive cuts, including T16 last week at Wells Fargo DAY, Jason Followed impressive T2 at Masters with a T9 at Heritage DE JONGE, Brendon Has made four straight cuts, but nothing inside top 20 DONALD, Luke Six consecutive top-10s makes him one of the favorites this week DUFNER, Jason T14 at Heritage followed by T3 at Zurich means he's trending upward DURANT, Joe Five missed cuts in his last seven starts, including Wells Fargo DUVAL, David Four missed cuts, a T63 and T74 in last six starts ELS, Ernie Putting woes have plagued the new Hall of Fame member FISHER, Ross T15 at Masters followed by birth of Harry George Fisher on April 22 FOWLER, Rickie T16 at Wells Fargo was his best finish since T8 at WGC-Cadillac FURYK, Jim Early struggles have given way to more consistency for local favorite GAINEY, Tommy Yes, he MC'd at Wells Fargo but can't ignore those consecutive thirds GARCIA, Sergio 2008 PLAYERS champ seems to be getting his game back in shape GARRIGUS, Robert T9 at Wells Fargo was his first top-10 since playoff loss at Hyundai GAY, Brian Seven straight cuts made but only top-10 was T5 at Mayakoba GLOVER, Lucas Playoff win at Wells Fargo stopped string of three straight MCs GOOSEN, Retief Hasn't had top-10 on PGA TOUR this year; MC'd at Masters GOYDOS, Paul Followed his best finish of year (T9 at Heritage) with MC last week HAAS, Bill Fourth at Wells Fargo was first top-10 since his strong start in January HAAS, Hunter A couple of top-20s in the six starts since his T3 at Puerto Rico HANSON, Peter Has failed to break par in his last nine rounds on PGA TOUR HARRINGTON, Padraig Sandwiched his missed cut at Masters with two top-10s HAYES, J.P. Seven missed cuts in his 10 TOUR starts this year HENRY, J.J. Last three weeks -- T69 at Valero, MC at Zurich, T33 at Wells Fargo HOFFMAN, Charley After T2 at Valero, he's been trending downward in last 2 starts HOLMES, J.B. Followed his T11 at Valero with T9 at Wells Fargo, a good trend HOWELL III, Charles Was hotter until that T59 last week at Wells Fargo IMADA, Ryuji No top-10 finish this year; just 2 of last 15 rounds in 60s IMMELMAN, Trevor He's making cuts but still struggling to contend on Sunday JACOBSON, Fredrik T5 at Valero, T21 at Heritage but MC'd at Wells Fargo JOBE, Brandt Followed three straight top-20s with a T55 at Wells Fargo JOHNSON, Dustin Hard to ignore that 79 at Wells Fargo; maybe new caddie will help JOHNSON, Zach T6 at Wells Fargo was first top-10 of the year JONES, Matt A productive last two weeks, including T6 at Zurich KARLSSON, Robert Sandwiched a T27 at Masters with two missed cuts KAYMER, Martin Expectations now higher for one of world's top players KELLY, Jerry After a third at Honda, he has three MCs, one WD in last five starts KIM, Anthony Still waiting for him to regain his spot among new breed's elite KIRK, Chris Had momentum after T2 at Shell Houston, but hasn't kept the momentum KUCHAR, Matt It's actually shocking now when he DOESN'T finish in top 10 LAIRD, Martin MC at Wells Fargo but can't ignore hot stretch before that LAMELY, Derek Nine consecutive missed cuts for last year's Puerto Rico winner LEISHMAN, Marc T3 at Bay Hill was encouraging, but he's slipped back since LEONARD, Justin Four MCs in last five starts; he'll be glad to get back to Texas LEVIN, Spencer Four missed cuts in last five starts but does have seven top 20s LOVE III, Davis That T16 last week was encouraging; so it playing at TPC Sawgrass LUNDE, Bill Started year with a couple of top 20s but nothing much since MAHAN, Hunter Two top-10s, one top-20 among his last five starts MANASSERO, Matteo Italian teenager won recently in Malaysia on European Tour MARINO, Steve Runner-up at Palmer but no top-20s in last four starts MATTESON, Troy Missed cut in seven of 10 starts this year McDOWELL, Graeme Reigning U.S. Open champ has struggled in last four starts (3 MCs) MEDIATE, Rocco Two missed cuts, one withdraw in last three starts MERRITT, Troy His FedExCup ranking (194th) tells you everything you need to know MICHEEL, Shaun In last three starts, he's MC'd twice and WD'd once MICKELSON, Phil Won at Shell, T27 at Augusta, T9 at Wells Fargo MOLDER, Bryce Hasn't broken 70 at any TOUR event since third round at Pebble MOLINARI, Edoardo Followed back-to-back top 15s with T28 last week MOLINARI, Francesco T3 at WGC-Cadillac, but T73 and two MCs since on U.S. soil MOORE, Ryan Keeps making cuts but hasn't contended on Sunday in a while NA, Kevin Comes in two consecutive top-10 finishes, including fifth last week O'HAIR, Sean Six straight missed cuts and has shot 78-75 in consecutive starts O'HERN, Nick T6 at Heritage followed by T20 on Zurich; good sleeper pick? O'MEARA, Mark Hard to ignore Champions Tour performances this year OGILVY, Geoff Followed T4 at Masters with a T23 at Valero OOSTHUIZEN, Louis Says he's "lost a bit of form" since early Africa Open win OVERTON, Jeff T6 at Honda but hasn't broken 70 in 18 rounds since then PALMER, Ryan Had at 10th at Masters, but MC and T46 in two starts since PAVIN, Corey Hasn't consistently been in contention on Champions Tour PEREZ, Pat Three top-10s in last 4 starts but comes off final-round 75 last week PERRY, Kenny It's high if you base it purely on last two Champions starts PETROVIC, Tim Last four starts: 77, T46, missed cut and missed cut PETTERSSON, Carl T9 at Wells Fargo was first top-10 finish of the year POINTS, D.A. Ranks 18th in FedExCup points thanks mostly to early-season success POULTER, Ian Looking for first top-10 on TOUR since T6 at Hyundai PRUGH, Alex Had five consecutive MCs until finishing T59 at Wells Fargo QUIROS, Alvaro Opening 65 at Masters was good; MC at Open at Espana was not RILEY, Chris Best finish in his last 10 starts? T39 at Pebble Beach ROLLINS, John Has finished around the 20-40 range on leaderboard lately ROMERO, Andres Followed T8 at Zurich with a T16 at Wells Fargo ROSE, Justin He spoiled us with those top-10s; comes off MC, T28 in last 2 starts SABBATINI, Rory Ended brief stretch of MCs with a third at Wells Fargo SCHWARTZEL, Charl Perhaps you remember those four straight birdies to win Masters SCOTT, Adam Past PLAYERS champ has three top 10s and a T23 in last four starts SENDEN, John Consistently between 20 and 40 on leaderboard each start SIM, Michael Five straight missed cuts for past Nationwide Tour star SIMPSON, Webb Last four starts: T16, T14, playoff loss, T21. Gotta like that SINGH, Vijay Three top 10s this year include T9 last week at Wells Fargo SLOCUM, Heath Has just two rounds in the 60s in his last 23 rounds on TOUR SNEDEKER, Brandt Ignore the MC at Zurich; Heritage champ has been on fire lately STADLER, Kevin Missed cut in last three starts; no top 10s this year STEELE, Brendan Won Valero Texas Open but struggling to sustain momentum STENSON, Henrik 2009 PLAYERS champ has missed his last three starts STREELMAN, Kevin He's made six of his last seven cuts but no top-10 finishes STRICKER, Steve Top 20 in each of his last four TOUR starts means he's heating up STROUD, Chris Four missed cuts in last six starts; comes off Sunday 77 at Wells Fargo SUTHERLAND, Kevin Missed cut in last two starts after a T11 at Valero TAYLOR, Vaughn No top-10s this year and missed cut at Wells Fargo TEATER, Josh Has a couple of top-20s in his last five starts TOMS, David Last four starts, including T3 at Bay Hill, have been promising TRAHAN, D.J. Couldn't build on the T12 at Bay Hill TRINGALE, Cameron T5 at Valero caught our attention; T18 at Zurich not bad either VAN PELT, Bo Props for T8 at Masters, but hasn't been in contention since VEGAS, Jhonattan Bob Hope winner now seems to be caught in rookie vortex VERPLANK, Scott Couple of top-10s in his last three starts, including T9 at Heritage VILLEGAS, Camilo Missed cut at Wells Fargo his second in five starts WAGNER, Johnson Three missed cuts, no top 10s in last seven starts WALKER, Jimmy Three missed cuts in his last five starts WATNEY, Nick Was red-hot a few weeks ago, but last three starts: 46, T20 and MC WATSON, Bubba Two wins and leading the FedExCup race; one of the players to beat WEEKLEY, Boo Hasn't had a top 20 since Bob Hope Classic WI, Charlie T16 at Zurich was his best finish of the year and fourth straight made cut WILLIS, Garrett Followed his T9 at Heritage with a 78-75-MC at Wells Fargo WILSON, Dean Two MCs in last four starts, but T11, T26 in other two starts WILSON, Mark T9 at Bay Hill was first top 10 since winning Phoenix playoff WOODLAND, Gary Transitions winner comes off 79 in final round at Wells Fargo WOODS, Tiger T4 at Masters was electrifying but is he healthy enough to win? YANG, Y.E. Second at Honda but has struggled to contend since then