Why The Players Championship is called the ‘Fifth Major’
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It’s one of the biggest events of the year, but why is The Players Championship called the “Fifth Major” and why isn’t it one?
The Players Championship is often referred to as golf’s “fifth major,” and while it has never had official major status and probably never will, it certainly feels like one.
With its rich history, massive purse, elite field, and iconic venue, The Players has everything you’d expect from a major championship – except the official label. But why exactly does it hold this unofficial title? Let’s break it down.
The rich history of The Players
First played in 1974, The Players Championship was the brainchild of then-PGA Tour commissioner Deane Beman. His goal? Create a championship that belonged solely to the PGA Tour – something as prestigious as the majors but controlled by the Tour itself. Over the years, it has grown into one of the most anticipated events on the golfing calendar.
Jack Nicklaus won the inaugural event and remains the only player to have won it three times (1974, 1976, 1978) – though Scottie Scheffer has a chance to match that record and make it three in a row in 2025. Big names like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Greg Norman, and Rory McIlroy have all lifted the trophy, adding to its prestige.
The strongest field in golf?
Perhaps the strongest argument for The Players being the “fifth major” is the strength of the field. Unlike the traditional majors – The Masters, U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship – The Players doesn’t feature a large number of amateur qualifiers unlikely to contend or past champions who are past their prime. It’s a pure meritocracy, with only the top-ranked players on the PGA Tour receiving invitations.
Statistically, it often boasts the highest Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) strength-of-field rating outside of the four majors. In some years, it has even outpaced them, proving that if you want to win The Players, you have to beat the best of the best.
The biggest prize in golf
Money talks in professional golf, and The Players speaks loudly. The prize purse is $25 million, with the winner taking home $4.5 million – both of which dwarf the amounts on offer at any of the four majors and make The Players one of the most financially rewarding events in the sport.
The iconic course: TPC Sawgrass
A major championship needs an iconic setting, and The Players has one of the most recognizable courses in the world: TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Designed by Pete Dye, it’s famous for its punishing layout and, of course, the legendary 17th-hole island green.
That 17th hole is one of the most nerve-wracking shots in golf. Even the best players in the world struggle with it – just ask Sergio Garcia, who once dunked two straight shots in the water in 2013 while in contention. The hole has seen everything from hole-in-ones to catastrophic meltdowns, and it always delivers drama.
What the players say
Many of the world’s top golfers believe The Players deserves major consideration. Tiger Woods, a two-time champion, once said, “It’s the best field we play in, on one of the hardest courses we play all year.”
Rory McIlroy has also been vocal about its importance, stating, “If there’s ever going to be a fifth major, it’s already here.”
Even Jack Nicklaus, who knows a thing or two about majors, has said that The Players “has everything a major needs.”
Why isn’t The Players an official major?
Despite all its credentials, The Players has never been granted official major status. The four majors have long-standing traditions dating back over a century, and the idea of adding a fifth is seen by many as unnecessary. Golf’s governing bodies – the PGA of America, USGA, and the R&A – control three of the majors, while Augusta National is in charge of The Masters. The Players is a PGA Tour event. That means it’s unlikely the other organizations would want to change the landscape.
A rose by any other name
While it may never be officially recognized as a major, The Players Championship certainly feels like one. It has the prestige, the money, the field, and the course to stand alongside golf’s biggest events. If it walks like a major and talks like a major, maybe it doesn’t need the official stamp.
The Players is unique, and perhaps that’s what makes it special. Despite not having major status, it’s one of the best weeks in golf, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.
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It's one of the biggest events of the year, but why is The Players Championship called the "Fifth Major" and why isn't it one?
