Welcome to CaddyBytes' coverage of The Players Championship, the PGA Tour's premier event and widely regarded as golf's "Fifth Major." Established in 1974, this prestigious tournament features the strongest field in golf and offers the largest purse on the PGA Tour, crowning a champion who has truly beaten the best of the best.
The Players Championship features 144 of the world's top golfers competing at the iconic TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course, home to the famous par-3 17th hole with its island green. This Pete Dye masterpiece tests every aspect of a player's game and has become synonymous with dramatic finishes and career-defining moments since moving to its permanent home in 1982.
With a history of legendary champions including Jack Nicklaus (three-time winner), Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and recent winners like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, The Players Championship represents the pinnacle of PGA Tour competition. The tournament not only offers the richest purse in golf but also provides the winner with a five-year PGA Tour exemption—a testament to its significance in the golf world.
The Players Championship
2026 Players Championship
Tournament Details
Date: March 12-15, 2026
Location: TPC Sawgrass, Florida
Field: 144 top PGA Tour professionals
Strongest field in golf - "Fifth Major."
Tournament DetailsThe Players Championship History (1974 - Present)
2026 Players Championship
Upcoming Event
TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course
Strongest field of 144 players
$25 million purse - largest in golf
5-year PGA Tour exemption to winner
2025 Players Championship
Recent Champion
TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course
PGA Tour's flagship event
Island green 17th hole drama
750 FedExCup points to winner
2020s Players Championship
Modern Champions
TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course
Scottie Scheffler won in 2023
Cameron Smith claimed 2022 title
Justin Thomas champion in 2021
2010s Players Championship
Memorable Victories
TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course
Rory McIlroy won in 2019
Webb Simpson claimed 2018 title
Si Woo Kim youngest winner in 2017
2000s Players Championship
Tiger Woods Era
TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course
Tiger Woods won in 2001 & 2013
Phil Mickelson champion in 2007
Stephen Ames surprise winner in 2006
Tournament Format
Elite Field
144 Top Players Compete
72-hole stroke play format
Top 70 and ties make the cut
Largest purse in professional golf
Iconic Venue
TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course
Pete Dye Masterpiece
Permanent home since 1982
Course Details:
Par 72, 7,245 yards
Tour Significance
"Fifth Major" Status
PGA Tour Flagship Event
Largest purse in golf ($25M)
5-year PGA Tour exemption
Widely considered "Fifth Major"
Historic Champions
Legendary Winners
Golf's Greatest Players
Jack Nicklaus three-time winner
Tiger Woods two-time champion
Fred Couples, Davis Love III winners
The Players Championship Legacy
The Players Championship has established an unparalleled legacy as the PGA Tour's flagship event and golf's unofficial "Fifth Major" since its inception in 1974. Originally conceived as the tournament "owned" by the PGA Tour players themselves, it has evolved into the most prestigious event on the PGA Tour calendar, featuring the strongest field in golf and offering the sport's largest purse.
The tournament's unique identity as the players' own championship creates a special atmosphere of pride and competition. With a $25 million purse, 750 FedExCup points, and a five-year PGA Tour exemption awarded to the champion, The Players Championship offers career-defining opportunities while showcasing golf's elite talent on one of the world's most iconic courses.
Beyond the competition, The Players Championship's permanent home at TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course has created one of golf's most enduring traditions. From the drama of the island green 17th hole to the strategic challenges throughout Pete Dye's masterpiece, the tournament consistently produces memorable moments that define careers and captivate golf fans worldwide. The course itself has become a character in the tournament's story, testing every aspect of a player's game under the pressure of competing against the world's best.
As the tournament continues to grow in prestige and significance, it maintains its core identity as the ultimate test of golf's elite. The event's combination of a legendary venue, the strongest field in the sport, and life-changing rewards for the champion has solidified The Players Championship's status as one of golf's most important tournaments—a true championship by the players, for the players, that stands alongside the majors in significance and excitement.