Every year, the PGA Tour hosts The Players Championship, also referred to as just The Players. It started in 1974 and was first called the Tournament Players Championship. At one point, the Players Championship had the biggest purse of any golf tournament. Unlike the major championships, the field typically consists of the top 50 players in the global rankings, although it is owned by the PGA Tour and is not a sanctioned event on other tours.
It's not a major, but the Tour has marketed it as one, calling it the fifth major. It's also frequently considered the next most prestigious golf tournament. This is due to the features that it has in common with the majors, namely its big purse and elite field.
It also has a well-known host course at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida (the TPC at Sawgrass Stadium Course, home of the legendary par-3 No. 17 "Island Green"), where the tournament has been held since 1982.
As of 2023, the winner receives $4.5 million, the winner's share (18%) of the greatest purse in golf ($25 million), and 80 points towards his world ranking, the highest proportion separate from the majors, which provides 100 points to the champion.
A three-year invitation to the Masters Tournament, three-year exemptions to the U.S. Open and the Open Championship, and an exemption to the next three PGA Championship tournaments beginning in 2018 are also awarded to the winner. A five-year exemption to the PGA Tour is an added bonus for the winner. If the winner is a member of the PGA Tour, they will receive 600 FedEx Cup points.
Who won the PGA Players Championship in 2024?
Scottie Scheffler won the 2024 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass' Players Stadium Course in Florida, for the second time in a row. He took home the $4.5 million winner's share of the $25 million total purse.
Scheffler won the tournament by a shot at 20-under 268 due to an almost flawless final round of play. Throughout the round, he consistently made crucial putts and, more importantly, didn't miss any strokes. In the 50-year history of the Players Championship, he became the only player to successfully defend the championship.
Wyndham Clark tied for second place with a 19-under total, despite a terrible lipout on the 72nd hole that would have forced a playoff. Two other runners up were Xander Schauffele and Brian Harman.
Who won the PGA Players Championship in 2023?
Scottie Scheffler won the 2023 Players Championship at the Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
With five consecutive birdies in the midst of the final round, Scheffler broke away from the field and gave himself a significant lead. Ultimately, Scheffler won by five shots on 17-under 271, taking back the top rank in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
Tyrrell Hatton finished in second place with a 12-under total, capping a final-nine 29. Tom Hoge and Viktor Hovland shared third place with a 10-under total.
The Players Championship Winners List Year-by-Year
| Year | Winner | Score | To par | Margin | Winner's share |
| 2024 | Scottie Scheffler (2) | 268 | -20 | 1 | $4,500,000 |
| 2023 | Scottie Scheffler | 271 | −17 | 5 | $4,500,000 |
| 2022 | Cam Smith | 275 | −13 | 1 | $3,600,000 |
| 2021 | Justin Thomas | 274 | −14 | 1 | $2,700,000 |
| 2020 | Not Finished | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2019 | Rory McIlroy | 272 | −16 | 1 | $2,250,000 |
| 2018 | Webb Simpson | 270 | −18 | 4 | $1,980,000 |
| 2017 | Kim Si-woo | 278 | −10 | 3 | $1,890,000 |
| 2016 | Jason Day | 273 | −15 | 4 | $1,890,000 |
| 2015 | Rickie Fowler | 276 | −12 | PO | $1,800,000 |
| 2014 | Martin Kaymer | 275 | −13 | 1 | $1,800,000 |
| 2013 | Tiger Woods (2) | 275 | −13 | 2 | $1,710,000 |
| 2012 | Matt Kuchar | 275 | −13 | 2 | $1,710,000 |
| 2011 | K.J. Choi | 275 | −13 | PO | $1,710,000 |
| 2010 | Tim Clark | 272 | −16 | 1 | $1,710,000 |
| 2009 | Henrik Stenson | 276 | −12 | 4 | $1,710,000 |
| 2008 | Sergio García | 283 | −5 | PO | $1,710,000 |
| 2007 | Phil Mickelson | 277 | −11 | 2 | $1,620,000 |
| 2006 | Stephen Ames | 274 | −14 | 6 | $1,440,000 |
| 2005 | Fred Funk | 279 | −9 | 1 | $1,440,000 |
| 2004 | Adam Scott | 276 | −12 | 1 | $1,440,000 |
| 2003 | Davis Love III (2) | 271 | −17 | 6 | $1,170,000 |
| 2002 | Craig Perks | 280 | −8 | 2 | $1,080,000 |
| 2001 | Tiger Woods | 274 | −14 | 1 | $1,080,000 |
| 2000 | Hal Sutton (2) | 278 | −10 | 1 | $1,080,000 |
| 1999 | David Duval | 285 | −3 | 2 | $900,000 |
| 1998 | Justin Leonard | 278 | −10 | 2 | $720,000 |
| 1997 | Steve Elkington (2) | 272 | −16 | 7 | $630,000 |
| 1996 | Fred Couples (2) | 270 | −18 | 4 | $630,000 |
| 1995 | Lee Janzen | 283 | −5 | 1 | $540,000 |
| 1994 | Greg Norman | 264 | −24 | 4 | $450,000 |
| 1993 | Nick Price | 270 | −18 | 5 | $450,000 |
| 1992 | Davis Love III | 273 | −15 | 4 | $324,000 |
| 1991 | Steve Elkington | 276 | −12 | 1 | $288,000 |
| 1990 | Jodie Mudd | 278 | −10 | 1 | $270,000 |
| 1989 | Tom Kite | 279 | −9 | 1 | $243,000 |
| 1988 | Mark McCumber | 273 | −15 | 4 | $225,000 |
| 1987 | Sandy Lyle | 274 | −14 | PO | $180,000 |
| 1986 | John Mahaffey | 275 | −13 | 1 | $162,000 |
| 1985 | Calvin Peete | 274 | −14 | 3 | $162,000 |
| 1984 | Fred Couples | 277 | −11 | 1 | $144,000 |
| 1983 | Hal Sutton | 283 | −5 | 1 | $126,000 |
| 1982 | Jerry Pate | 280 | −8 | 2 | $90,000 |
| 1981 | Raymond Floyd | 285 | −3 | PO | $72,000 |
| 1980 | Lee Trevino | 278 | −10 | 1 | $72,000 |
| 1979 | Lanny Wadkins | 283 | −5 | 5 | $72,000 |
| 1978 | Jack Nicklaus (3) | 289 | 1 | 1 | $60,000 |
| 1977 | Mark Hayes | 289 | 1 | 2 | $60,000 |
| 1976 | Jack Nicklaus (2) | 269 | −19 | 3 | $60,000 |
| 1975 | Al Geiberger | 270 | −10 | 3 | $50,000 |
| 1974 | Jack Nicklaus | 272 | −16 | 2 | $50,000 |
Multiple PGA Players Championship Champions
Having won three of the first five events, Jack Nicklaus has the most victories. However, five players—Tiger Woods, Fred Couples, Steve Elkington, Davis Love III, and Hal Sutton, Scottie Scheffler—have won twice at TPC Sawgrass.
| No. of Wins | Name | Country | Years |
| 3 | Jack Nicklaus | United States | 1974, 1976, 1978 |
| 2 | Fred Couples | United States | 1984, 1996 |
| 2 | Steve Elkington | Australia | 1991, 1997 |
| 2 | Hal Sutton | United States | 1983, 2000 |
| 2 | Davis Love III | United States | 1992, 2003 |
| 2 | Tiger Woods | United States | 2001, 2013 |
| 2 | Scottie Scheffler | United States | 2023, 2024 |
The Players Championship FAQs
A. The Players Championship started in 1974 and is held annually at the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
A. Despite not being officially recognized as a major, The Players is marketed as the "fifth major" due to its prestigious features like a large purse and elite field.
A. The TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, is renowned for its legendary par-3 No. 17 "Island Green."
A. The winner gets $4.5 million, a three-year invitation to the Masters Tournament, three-year exemptions to the U.S. Open and the Open Championship, and more.
A. Scottie Scheffler won the 2024 Players Championship with a score of 268, under 20, by a margin of one stroke over Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, and Xander Schauffele.
