THE PLAYERS Championship

Each May, THE PLAYERS Championship showcases excitement and intensity, not to mention the beauty of one of the most recognized courses in the world, THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. THE PLAYERS brings the game’s top competitors to this superior, demanding golf course and offers a fan experience unlike any other, creating one of the most dynamic, compelling events in all of golf.  

Ever since the first PLAYERS Championship – contested at Atlanta Country Club in 1974 – the era’s best players have battled to take home the trophy. It’s fitting that the event’s inaugural winner was none other than World Golf Hall of Fame member Jack Nicklaus, who captured a tournament-record three PLAYERS titles in the first five years (1974, 1976 and 1978).  

THE PLAYERS moved to Jacksonville in 1977 and five years later, the PGA TOUR’s flagship event found a new home at TPC Sawgrass, Pete Dye’s masterpiece and golf’s original stadium. Jerry Pate won that first year and celebrated his 1982 triumph by diving into the lake next to the 18th hole, taking Dye and then-PGA TOUR Commissioner Deane Beman with him.

That memorable moment has been followed by many others, including Hal Sutton’s “Be the right club today” shot from the fairway on the final hole to defeat Tiger Woods in 2000 and win his second PLAYERS title, and Woods’ “Better than most” putt from 60-plus feet during the third round of his 2001 victory.  

THE PLAYERS has evolved into one of the most prestigious events in golf. Local heroes Calvin Peete, Mark McCumber, David Duval and Fred Funk have hoisted THE PLAYERS trophy, as have some of the game’s most recognizable names, including Davis Love III, Greg Norman, Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson and 2008 champion Sergio Garcia.

When the deepest field in golf takes on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, fans flock to the Florida sun for a chance to catch a glimpse of the game’s most illustrious champions. We welcome you to experience one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments – THE PLAYERS Championship.