The Players Championship: Is It A Bona Fide Major?
The upcoming Players Championship is happening at the TPC Sawgrass this week. Known for its famous Island Green 17th hole, this tournament is often referred to as golf's 'fifth Major.' However, it's a title that has yet to fully stick.
The Stadium Course is renowned for its challenging layout and iconic holes. It's often compared to the 'Majors' - the Masters, the Open, and the U.S. Open PGA.
But then, it's not the Masters. There's always an 'and then, but...' with the Players Championship.
Geoff Ogilvy, former U.S. Open champion, believes it's just a matter of time before it ascends to Major status. "The time will tell," he said on CNN's Living Golf. "Sooner or later, the Players will probably become one of the most important events in golf."
Rickie Fowler, who won the tournament last year, shares this perspective. "I consider this tournament as a big major," he told reporters at Sawgrass.
The Players Championship first took place in 1974 in Atlanta, and then moved to TPC Sawgrass in 1982. The course, designed by Pete Dye, sprawled across 415 hectares of marshland purchased for just $1, and it was initiated by PGA Tour Commissioner Dean Beman as the only tournament owned by the tour pros themselves.
The winner of this event receives a substantial prize of $1.8 million, equal to the three U.S. Majors and a bit more than the British Open. Additionally, the total prize pool of $10.5 million is the highest in all golf tours.
Apart from the impressive prize pool, winning the Players Championship also means securing victories against some of the world's best golfers. According to Golf magazine, it's home to 144 of the world's top players.
Meanwhile, The Masters is an invitation-only tournament with around 90 participants, including former champions and a few international and amateur players. The U.S. Open and British Open also have qualifying and amateur slots, with around 20 places reserved for PGA instructors.
The Players Championship course boasts a picturesque layout, with no two consecutive holes running in the same direction, and gallery-friendly stadium seating. The 17th hole, with its infamous Island Green, is a spectacle, attracting cheers whenever a ball disappears into the water.
A unique tradition of the Players Championship is the donation of a champion's club to the course's clubhouse. The first winner, Jack Nicklaus, started this tradition, donating his title-winning club to the collection.
Players have their money, honor, and character. What's missing? Recognition? That, and perhaps time.
History.
The four modern professional tournaments came together in 1934 with the start of the Masters. The British Open began in 1860, followed by the U.S. Open. Each of these significant milestones in golf history have cemented legendary names in the sport, such as Jack Nicklaus - who holds the record of 18 Major titles, and Tiger Woods - whose quest for 15 Major titles is on a pause.
Then comes the 'Grand Slam,' when all four Majors are played simultaneously. No player has achieved this feat in modern golf, but five have achieved 'career Grand Slams' - Gene Saracen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
"The Majors define the history and they define the careers of the players," said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA, speaking to CNN. "One of the things about the Majors is that their history makes this year's champion and future champions even more special."
However, the players can win other titles, but they can't turn back time. Or can they?
As Ogilvy puts it, "This, besides the National Opens, is probably the fifth most-coveted title in golf. If everything ended tomorrow, I'd be happier having the Australian Open trophy on my mantelpiece, and I wouldn't miss the players as much."
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The argument for considering the Players Championship as the 'fifth Major' in golf is based on several factors:
- Field Strength: The Players Championship historically attracts a field of the highest caliber, comparable to the four official Majors (Masters, U.S. Open, The Open, and PGA Championship) in terms of the quality and ranking of the players participating[1][4].
- Prestige and History: The event has a rich history, having been dubbed 'golf's fifth Major' due to its prestigious status and the high level of competition it consistently features. It has been held annually since 1974 and has been graced by many of golf's greatest champions, including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Tiger Woods[1][4].
- Course Difficulty: The Players Championship is played on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, which is widely regarded as one of the best golf courses in the USA. The course demands every shot that golfers can create, making it a challenging and prestigious event[1].
- Prize Fund and Exemptions: The tournament offers a significant prize fund of $25 million, with the winner receiving $4.5 million and 750 FedExCup points. Additionally, the champion earns a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour and a three-year exemption for the major championships[1].
- Global Recognition: The event is recognized globally for its iconic holes, particularly the par-3 17th hole, known as the 'Island Green.' This hole is a signature feature of the course and adds to the event's dramatic appeal[1].
While some argue that the LIV Golf breakaway tour has diluted the field strength, the PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan stresses that the tournament still features the greatest players in the world, making it a significant event in the golf calendar[1].[1]: [4]:
