The Players Championship, which recently observed its 50th anniversary since its first tournament in 1974, features all of the PGA Tour’s brightest stars all at one course, competing for their championship.
Here’s a look at everything you need to know about the Players Championship.
What is The Players Championship?
The Players Championship is a PGA Tour event that is precursor to the major tournament season played one month before the Masters. Like the majors, this event has one of the best fields of the year as it features the best players in the world on top of playing at a difficult course.
Where is The Players Championship
The Players Championship is played at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. The course is a par-72 as the field needs to strategically work their way around the course. There are many challenging holes and stretches throughout TPC Sawgrass, so much that it becomes a dream course for amateurs to play.
One of the biggest stretches at TPC Sawgrass is the final three holes to the round, hole Nos. 16-18. The 16th hole is a par 5, giving players a scoreable opportunity, however, it is still demanding as there is water along the right of the fairway and up into the hole. If a player decides to layup to the left of the green, they have to chip over the ridge and downhill towards the water. Add in the wind and the vision of the group in front playing ahead of you on 17th and the pressure can easily rise.
The 17th hole, which is a short walk from the 16th green, gives players challenging thoughts, after seeing all green the entire round, players have to hit their tee shot over the water on this par-3, nicknamed, the island green. Players are lucky just to make par as some of the best moments have come on this hole from Tiger Woods’ “Better than most” 60-foot triple-breaking putt in 2001 or Rickie Fowler’s aggressive tee shot on the fourth playoff hole to get birdie and the victory in 2015.
The final hole on the course, No. 18, is a dogleg left with water along the left side and trees on the left. This par-4 tests players one final time before returning to the clubhouse, especially if this player has the lead on Sunday afternoon to have that accuracy of finding the fairway and the putting surface.
Related: Payout for The Players Championship 2024
Is The Players Championship a major?
The Players Championship is not a major, but it definitely has a major tournament feel. Outside of the majors, as well as the Presidents Cup or Ryder Cup, everyone wants to play at TPC Sawgrass for the Players Championship because of the challenges it gives players.
As a result, it is called “The 5th major” because of its difficulty both with the course and the expectations it sets from the first hole to final one on Sunday afternoon.
Also read: How each major tournament provides its own uniqueness and tradition
When is The Players Championship?
The Players Championship is usually held in March, around the second or third weekend, but immediately following the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The 2024 Players Championship is the 50th iteration of the tournament and was played from March 14-17.
Is Tiger Woods playing in The Players Championship?
Tiger Woods, who won the Players Championship trophy twice in 19 trips in addition to a runner-up and five top-10s, has the opportunity to compete at The Players Championship due to his exemption as a result of winning the 2019 Masters.
On March 8 when the field was announced, Woods was not involved. He is apparently saving himself for the Masters after having to withdraw from his previous tournament.
Hole in one at The Players Championship
There have been 14 aces on the 17th hole, including two in 2023 by Aaron Rai and Hayden Buckley. In 2024, Ryan Fox became the 14th player to get an ace on the 17th hole, known as the Island Green.
Some of the biggest names to have secured a hole-in-one on the 17th hole include Fred Couples, Sergio Garcia, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Paul Azinger.
Two years after Couples made his hole in one on the 17th in 1997, he made a rare hole in three during the 1999 Players Championship. His first shot landed in the water and re-teed to make it in the cup to save par and went on to finish fourth.
Who won The Players Championship in 2024
Scottie Scheffler won at TPC Sawgrass in 2024 with a score of 20-under par, defeating Xander Schauffele, Wyndham Clark and Brian Harman by one stroke. Scheffler became the first player in tournament history to successfuly defend his Players Championship title after winning it last year.
In addition, Scheffler became the second player to win the Players Championship with a score of 20-under of better, joining Greg Norman when he scored 24-under par in 1994.
Related: Payout for thhe Players Championship 2024: How it compares to other PGA Tour events