Damaged greens a problem with Players Championship just 3 days away

With only a few days remaining until the Players Championship tees off, TPC Sawgrass is still scrambling to get the course ready.

Three greens at the Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., golf course -- the 4th, 11th and 12th -- were scheduled to be closed for practice rounds on Monday, according to a PGA Tour text message sent to players and obtained by the Florida Times-Union.

“Please do not hit shots to these greens,” the message reportedly advised golfers arriving for one of the sport’s marquee tournaments. “Players and caddies should not walk on these greens until further notice. Thanks for your cooperation.”

The greens have suffered from a cold winter and a chemical application process that tour officials described as too aggressive. Two additional greens -- the 9th and 14th -- were damaged but deemed playable.

The field for Thursday’s first round is expected to include 46 of the top 50 golfers in the world.