The Players Championship
Encyclopedia
The Players Championship (often styled as THE PLAYERS Championship) is an annual golf tournament on the PGA Tour
.
Originally known as the Tournament Players Championship, the inaugural event in 1974 was played at Atlanta Country Club in Marietta, Georgia
before moving to the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas
in 1975 and Inverrary Country Club in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1976. Beginning in 1977, the event relocated to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
, first being played at Sawgrass Country Club
's Oceanside Course (a combination of the "East" and "West" 9-hole courses). Since 1982 it has been played across the road from Sawgrass Country Club, on the Stadium Course at the "Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass" (usually referred to as the TPC at Sawgrass
). It is not uncommon for "TPC" in this context to be conflated with "The Players Championship" because they happen to have the same initials – in fact, this confusion was the reason why the tournament's original name was shortened to just "Players Championship" prior to the 1988 event, although some confusion between the two still persists occasionally.
The Players Championship offers the highest prize fund of any tournament in golf ($8 million 2004–06, $9 million in 2007, $9.5 million in 2008), and is sometimes referred to as the "Fifth Major
," but it does not have official major status. The field usually includes the top 50 golfers in the world rankings
, but unlike the three majors which are staged in the United States
, it does not count as an official event on the European Tour. The winner receives a fixed allocation of 80 points towards his Official World Golf Ranking, which is the most allocated to any event apart from the majors, in which winners earn 100 points. For comparison, the winners of the three individual World Golf Championships
held during the PGA Tour regular season generally receive between 70 and 78 points. The Players Championship also receives a 5-year exemption on the PGA Tour
, a three-year invitation to the Masters Tournament, three-year exemptions for The Open Championship and for the U.S. Open
, and an exemption to the PGA Championship
for that year.
The Players Championship can be further distinguished from the "Majors
" in that it is owned and administered by the PGA Tour
. In contrast, The Masters is owned by the Augusta National Golf Club
; the U.S. Open by the United States Golf Association
(USGA); the British Open
by The R&A, an offshoot of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews
; and the PGA Championship
by the Professional Golfers' Association of America
(PGA of America).
The Players Championship is best known for what may be the single most recognizable par 3 in professional golf, the Stadium Course's 17th hole, known to golf fans worldwide as "the Island Green" and what has become TPC Sawgrass' signature hole. The final three holes are considered one of the toughest finishes in golf.
The Players Championship had been played in late March for most of its existence, two weeks before The Masters. In 2007 it was moved to mid-May, as part of a restructuring of the PGA Tour. This restructuring involved the introduction of the lucrative FedEx Cup
, which concludes with The Tour Championship
, now played six weeks earlier, in mid-September. This gives the PGA Tour a marquee event in six consecutive months (The Masters in April, The Players in May, the U.S. Open in June, the British Open in July, the PGA Championship in August, and the Tour Championship in September). http://www.pgatour.com/info/company/story/9158540
Following the 2006 event, the course underwent a major renovation, which received very positive reviews from the players in 2007. Included in the renovation was a new 77,000 square-foot (7153 m²) Mediterranean Revival
-style clubhouse.
With the rearrangement of 2007, the final round of The Players Championship is scheduled for the second Sunday of May, Mother's Day
. This parallels the U.S. Open, which concludes on the third Sunday of June, Father's Day
.
* Indicates a win in a playoff
Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.
Sources
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
.
Originally known as the Tournament Players Championship, the inaugural event in 1974 was played at Atlanta Country Club in Marietta, Georgia
Marietta, Georgia
Marietta is a city located in central Cobb County, Georgia, United States, and is its county seat.As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 56,579, making it one of metro Atlanta's largest suburbs...
before moving to the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
in 1975 and Inverrary Country Club in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1976. Beginning in 1977, the event relocated to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Ponte Vedra Beach is an unincorporated seaside community in St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Located eighteen miles southeast of downtown Jacksonville and north of St. Augustine, it is part of the Jacksonville Beaches area. It is an upmarket tourist resort area best known for its...
, first being played at Sawgrass Country Club
Sawgrass Country Club
Sawgrass Country Club is a private golf and tennis club located in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The club is best known for hosting The Players Championship from 1977 through 1981, one of the premier events on the PGA Tour.-Golf:...
's Oceanside Course (a combination of the "East" and "West" 9-hole courses). Since 1982 it has been played across the road from Sawgrass Country Club, on the Stadium Course at the "Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass" (usually referred to as the TPC at Sawgrass
TPC at Sawgrass
The Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass, colloquially known as TPC at Sawgrass, is a well-known golf course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, a suburb of Jacksonville. Opened in 1980, it was the first of several Tournament Players Clubs to be built...
). It is not uncommon for "TPC" in this context to be conflated with "The Players Championship" because they happen to have the same initials – in fact, this confusion was the reason why the tournament's original name was shortened to just "Players Championship" prior to the 1988 event, although some confusion between the two still persists occasionally.
The Players Championship offers the highest prize fund of any tournament in golf ($8 million 2004–06, $9 million in 2007, $9.5 million in 2008), and is sometimes referred to as the "Fifth Major
Men's major golf championships
The men's major golf championships, commonly known as the Major Championships, and often referred to simply as the majors, are the four most prestigious annual tournaments in professional golf...
," but it does not have official major status. The field usually includes the top 50 golfers in the world rankings
Official World Golf Rankings
The Official World Golf Ranking is a system for rating the performance level of male professional golfers...
, but unlike the three majors which are staged in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, it does not count as an official event on the European Tour. The winner receives a fixed allocation of 80 points towards his Official World Golf Ranking, which is the most allocated to any event apart from the majors, in which winners earn 100 points. For comparison, the winners of the three individual World Golf Championships
World Golf Championships
The World Golf Championships are a group of four annual events for male professional golfers created by the International Federation of PGA Tours, with a fifth to be added in 2012...
held during the PGA Tour regular season generally receive between 70 and 78 points. The Players Championship also receives a 5-year exemption on the PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
, a three-year invitation to the Masters Tournament, three-year exemptions for The Open Championship and for the U.S. Open
U.S. Open (golf)
The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour...
, and an exemption to the PGA Championship
PGA Championship
The PGA Championship is an annual golf tournament conducted by the PGA of America as part of the PGA Tour. It is one of the four major championships in men's professional golf, and is the golf season's final major, usually played in mid-August, customarily four weeks after The Open Championship...
for that year.
The Players Championship can be further distinguished from the "Majors
Men's major golf championships
The men's major golf championships, commonly known as the Major Championships, and often referred to simply as the majors, are the four most prestigious annual tournaments in professional golf...
" in that it is owned and administered by the PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
. In contrast, The Masters is owned by the Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club, located in Augusta, Georgia, is a famous men's golf club. Founded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts and designed by Alister MacKenzie on the site of a former indigo plantation, the club opened for play in January 1933. Since 1934, it has played host to the annual...
; the U.S. Open by the United States Golf Association
United States Golf Association
The United States Golf Association is the United States' national association of golf courses, clubs and facilities and the governing body of golf for the U.S. and Mexico. Together with The R&A, the USGA produces and interprets the Rules of Golf. The USGA also provides a national handicap system...
(USGA); the British Open
The Open Championship
The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico...
by The R&A, an offshoot of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is one of the oldest and most prestigious golf clubs in the world . It is based in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, and is regarded as the worldwide "Home of Golf"...
; and the PGA Championship
PGA Championship
The PGA Championship is an annual golf tournament conducted by the PGA of America as part of the PGA Tour. It is one of the four major championships in men's professional golf, and is the golf season's final major, usually played in mid-August, customarily four weeks after The Open Championship...
by the Professional Golfers' Association of America
Professional Golfers' Association of America
Founded in 1916, the Professional Golfers' Association of America is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and is made up of more than 28,000 men and women golf professional members...
(PGA of America).
The Players Championship is best known for what may be the single most recognizable par 3 in professional golf, the Stadium Course's 17th hole, known to golf fans worldwide as "the Island Green" and what has become TPC Sawgrass' signature hole. The final three holes are considered one of the toughest finishes in golf.
The Players Championship had been played in late March for most of its existence, two weeks before The Masters. In 2007 it was moved to mid-May, as part of a restructuring of the PGA Tour. This restructuring involved the introduction of the lucrative FedEx Cup
FedEx Cup
The FedEx Cup is a championship trophy for the PGA Tour. Its introduction marked the first time that men's professional golf had a playoff system. Announced in November 2005, it was first awarded in 2007 after a NASCAR-like points race. Bill Haas is the current champion...
, which concludes with The Tour Championship
The Tour Championship
The Tour Championship was historically the final event of golf's PGA Tour season. Since 2007, it has been the final event of the FedEx Cup, the competition for the first official championship trophy for the PGA Tour season. From 1987 to 1996, several courses hosted the event...
, now played six weeks earlier, in mid-September. This gives the PGA Tour a marquee event in six consecutive months (The Masters in April, The Players in May, the U.S. Open in June, the British Open in July, the PGA Championship in August, and the Tour Championship in September). http://www.pgatour.com/info/company/story/9158540
Following the 2006 event, the course underwent a major renovation, which received very positive reviews from the players in 2007. Included in the renovation was a new 77,000 square-foot (7153 m²) Mediterranean Revival
Mediterranean Revival Style architecture
The Mediterranean Revival was an eclectic design style that was first introduced in the United States about the end of the nineteenth century, and became popular during the 1920s and 1930s...
-style clubhouse.
With the rearrangement of 2007, the final round of The Players Championship is scheduled for the second Sunday of May, Mother's Day
Mother's Day
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, yet most commonly in March, April, or May...
. This parallels the U.S. Open, which concludes on the third Sunday of June, Father's Day
Father's Day
Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. Many countries celebrate it on the third Sunday of June but it is also celebrated widely on other days...
.
Winners
| The Players Championship | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Player | Country | Score | To par | 1st Prize ($ United States dollar The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies.... ) | Purse ($) |
| 2011 2011 Players Championship The 2011 Players Championship was a golf tournament on the PGA Tour contested from May 12–15 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. It was the 38th Players Championship. The tournament was won by South Korean K. J... |
K. J. Choi Choi Kyung-Ju Choi Kyung-Ju , also known as K. J. Choi. is a South Korean professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour. Since turning pro in 1994, he has won a total of eighteen professional golf tournaments worldwide, including eight on the PGA Tour, making him Asia's most successful golfer. His... |
275 | -13* | 1,710,000 | 9,500,000 | |
| 2010 2010 Players Championship The 2010 Players Championship was a golf tournament on the PGA Tour that was contested from May 6–9. It was the 37th Players Championship. Tim Clark won the tournament with a Sunday 67 for his first PGA Tour victory.... |
Tim Clark | 272 | -16 | 1,710,000 | 9,500,000 | |
| 2009 2009 Players Championship The 2009 Players Championship was a golf tournament on the PGA Tour that was contested from May 7–10. It was the 36th Players Championship... |
Henrik Stenson Henrik Stenson Henrik Stenson is a Swedish professional golfer who plays both on the US and European tours. He has spent over 100 weeks ranked in the World top ten and his career high ranking of fourth is the best by any Swedish golfer.-Career:... |
276 | -12 | 1,710,000 | 9,500,000 | |
| 2008 2008 Players Championship The 2008 Players Championship was a golf tournament on the PGA Tour that was contested from May 8–11. It was the 35th Players Championship... |
Sergio García Sergio García Sergio García Fernández is a Spanish professional golfer who plays on both the United States PGA Tour and the European Tour. He has spent much of his career in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings... |
283 | -5* | 1,710,000 | 9,500,000 | |
| 2007 2007 Players Championship The 2007 Players Championship was a golf tournament on the PGA Tour contested from May 10–13 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. It was the 34th Players Championship. The tournament was won by Phil Mickelson by two shots over Sergio García... |
Phil Mickelson Phil Mickelson Philip Alfred Mickelson is an American professional golfer. He has won four major championships and a total of 39 events on the PGA Tour. He has reached a career high world ranking of 2nd in multiple years. He is nicknamed "Lefty" for his left-handed swing, even though he is otherwise right-handed... |
277 | -11 | 1,620,000 | 9,000,000 | |
| 2006 2006 Players Championship The 2006 Players Championship was a golf tournament on the PGA Tour contested from March 23–26 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. It was the 33rd Players Championship... |
Stephen Ames Stephen Ames Stephen Michael Ames is a professional golfer on the PGA Tour holding dual citizenship of Trinidad and Tobago and Canada.... |
|
274 | -14 | 1,440,000 | 8,000,000 |
| 2005 2005 Players Championship The 2005 Players Championship was a golf tournament on the PGA Tour contested from March 24–27 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. It was the 32nd Players Championship... |
Fred Funk Fred Funk Frederick Funk is an American professional golfer.Funk was born in Takoma Park, Maryland. He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1980 with a degree in law enforcement. He turned professional in 1981, but worked as a golf coach at his alma mater from 1982 to 1988; he did not... |
279 | -9 | 1,440,000 | 8,000,000 | |
| 2004 | Adam Scott | 276 | -12 | 1,440,000 | 8,000,000 | |
| 2003 | Davis Love III Davis Love III Davis Milton Love III is an American professional golfer.Love was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina before turning professional in 1985. He earned his PGA Tour card in the fall of 1985, on his first attempt. He quickly established himself on the PGA... (2) |
271 | -17 | 1,170,000 | 6,500,000 | |
| 2002 | Craig Perks Craig Perks Craig William Perks is a professional golfer from New Zealand who played on the PGA Tour.Perks was born in Palmerston North. He played college golf at University of Oklahoma and University of Southwestern Louisiana in the United States. He turned professional in 1993 and played on the second tier... |
280 | -8 | 1,080,000 | 6,000,000 | |
| 2001 | Tiger Woods Tiger Woods Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods is an American professional golfer whose achievements to date rank him among the most successful golfers of all time. Formerly the World No... |
274 | -14 | 1,080,000 | 6,000,000 | |
| 2000 | Hal Sutton Hal Sutton Hal Evan Sutton is an American professional golfer.Sutton was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. A promising golfer at the Centenary College of Louisiana, he was named Golf Magazines 1980 College Player of the Year... (2) |
278 | -10 | 1,080,000 | 6,000,000 | |
| 1999 | David Duval David Duval David Robert Duval is an American professional golfer and former World No. 1 who competes on the PGA Tour.-Early years:... |
285 | -3 | 900,000 | 5,000,000 | |
| 1998 | Justin Leonard Justin Leonard Justin Charles Garrett Leonard is an American professional golfer.Leonard was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He attended Lake Highlands High School and graduated in 1990. He attended the University of Texas at Austin and was the individual NCAA champion in 1994. He was a two-time All-American... |
278 | -10 | 720,000 | 4,000,000 | |
| 1997 | Steve Elkington Steve Elkington Stephen John Elkington is an Australian professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He spent over 50 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings from 1995 to 1998.-Early years and education:... (2) |
272 | -16 | 630,000 | 3,500,000 | |
| 1996 | Fred Couples Fred Couples Frederick Steven Couples is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour. A former World No. 1, he has won numerous events, most notably the 1992 Masters Tournament. In August 2011 he won his maiden senior major at the Senior Players Championship... (2) |
270 | -18 | 630,000 | 3,500,000 | |
| 1995 | Lee Janzen Lee Janzen Lee McLeod Janzen is an American golfer who is best known for twice winning the U.S. Open, in 1993 and 1998.-Early years and amateur career:... |
283 | -5 | 540,000 | 3,000,000 | |
| 1994 | Greg Norman Greg Norman Gregory John Norman AO is an Australian professional golfer and entrepreneur who spent 331 weeks as the world's Number 1 ranked golfer in the 1980s and 1990s... |
264 | -24 | 450,000 | 2,500,000 | |
| 1993 | Nick Price Nick Price Nicholas Raymond Leige Price is a South African-Zimbabwean Professional golfer and an inductee in the World Golf Hall of Fame. In the mid-1990s, Price reached number one in the Official World Golf Rankings.-Background:... |
270 | -18 | 450,000 | 2,500,000 | |
| 1992 | Davis Love III Davis Love III Davis Milton Love III is an American professional golfer.Love was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina before turning professional in 1985. He earned his PGA Tour card in the fall of 1985, on his first attempt. He quickly established himself on the PGA... (1) |
273 | -15 | 324,000 | 1,800,000 | |
| 1991 | Steve Elkington Steve Elkington Stephen John Elkington is an Australian professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He spent over 50 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings from 1995 to 1998.-Early years and education:... (1) |
276 | -12 | 288,000 | 1,600,000 | |
| 1990 | Jodie Mudd Jodie Mudd Joseph Martin "Jodie" Mudd is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour.Mudd was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, where he developed into an honored amateur golfer.Mudd won four PGA Tour events during his career... |
278 | -10 | 270,000 | 1,500,000 | |
| 1989 | Tom Kite Tom Kite Thomas Oliver Kite, Jr. is an American professional golfer and golf course architect. He spent 175 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings between 1989 and 1994.... |
279 | -9 | 243,000 | 1,350,000 | |
| 1988 | Mark McCumber Mark McCumber Mark Randall McCumber is an American golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and Champions Tour.McCumber was born in Jacksonville, Florida. He turned professional in 1974 and joined the PGA Tour in 1978. McCumber won ten times on the PGA Tour between 1979 and 1994 including the prestigious Players... |
273 | -15 | 225,000 | 1,250,000 | |
| Tournament Players Championship | ||||||
| Year | Player | Country | Score | To par | 1st Prize ($ United States dollar The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies.... ) | Purse ($) |
| 1987 | Sandy Lyle Sandy Lyle Alexander Walter Barr "Sandy" Lyle, MBE is a Scottish professional golfer. Lyle has won two major championships during his career. Along with Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam, he became one of Britain's top golfers during the 1980s... |
274 | -14* | 180,000 | 1,000,000 | |
| 1986 | John Mahaffey John Mahaffey John Drayton Mahaffey, Jr. is an American professional golfer who has won numerous tournaments including 10 PGA Tour events.... |
275 | -13 | 162,000 | 900,000 | |
| 1985 | Calvin Peete Calvin Peete Calvin Peete is an American professional golfer. He was the most successful African-American on the PGA Tour, with 12 wins, before the emergence of Tiger Woods.... |
274 | -14 | 162,000 | 900,000 | |
| 1984 | Fred Couples Fred Couples Frederick Steven Couples is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour. A former World No. 1, he has won numerous events, most notably the 1992 Masters Tournament. In August 2011 he won his maiden senior major at the Senior Players Championship... (1) |
277 | -11 | 144,000 | 800,000 | |
| 1983 | Hal Sutton Hal Sutton Hal Evan Sutton is an American professional golfer.Sutton was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. A promising golfer at the Centenary College of Louisiana, he was named Golf Magazines 1980 College Player of the Year... (1) |
283 | -5 | 126,000 | 700,000 | |
| 1982 | Jerry Pate Jerry Pate Jerome Kendrick "Jerry" Pate is an American golfer.Jerry Pate was born in Macon, Georgia. He attended the University of Alabama, where he played on the golf team. Pate had a distinguished amateur career. He won the U.S. Amateur in 1974, and the following year he was a member of victorious U.S.... |
280 | -8 | 90,000 | 500,000 | |
| 1981 | Raymond Floyd Raymond Floyd Raymond Loran "Ray" Floyd is an American professional golfer who has won numerous tournaments on both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour.... |
285 | -3* | 72,000 | 400,000 | |
| 1980 | Lee Trevino Lee Trevino Lee Buck Trevino is an American professional golfer. He is an icon for Mexican Americans, and is often referred to as "The Merry Mex" and "Supermex". He won six major championships over the course of his career.-Early life:... |
278 | -10 | 72,000 | 400,000 | |
| 1979 | Lanny Wadkins Lanny Wadkins Jerry Lanston "Lanny" Wadkins, Jr. is an American professional golfer. He ranked in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings for 86 weeks from their debut in 1986 to 1988.... |
283 | -5 | 72,000 | 400,000 | |
| 1978 | Jack Nicklaus Jack Nicklaus Jack William Nicklaus , nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is an American professional golfer. He won 18 career major championships on the PGA Tour over a span of 25 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all time. In addition to his 18 Majors, he was runner-up a... (3) |
289 | +1 | 60,000 | 300,000 | |
| 1977 | Mark Hayes Mark Hayes (golfer) Mark S. Hayes is an American professional golfer.-Early years and amateur career:Hayes was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He played collegiately at Oklahoma State University, where he was a two-time All-American... |
289 | +1 | 60,000 | 300,000 | |
| 1976 | Jack Nicklaus Jack Nicklaus Jack William Nicklaus , nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is an American professional golfer. He won 18 career major championships on the PGA Tour over a span of 25 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all time. In addition to his 18 Majors, he was runner-up a... (2) |
269 | -19 | 60,000 | 300,000 | |
| 1975 | Al Geiberger Al Geiberger Allen Lee Geiberger, Sr. is an American professional golfer who has won numerous golf tournaments.Geiberger was born in Red Bluff, California... |
270 | -10 | 50,000 | 250,000 | |
| 1974 | Jack Nicklaus Jack Nicklaus Jack William Nicklaus , nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is an American professional golfer. He won 18 career major championships on the PGA Tour over a span of 25 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all time. In addition to his 18 Majors, he was runner-up a... (1) |
272 | -16 | 50,000 | 250,000 | |
* Indicates a win in a playoff
Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.
Sources
Multiple winners
Five men have won The Players Championship more than once through 2011.- 3 wins
- Jack NicklausJack NicklausJack William Nicklaus , nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is an American professional golfer. He won 18 career major championships on the PGA Tour over a span of 25 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all time. In addition to his 18 Majors, he was runner-up a...
: 1974, 1976, 1978
- Jack Nicklaus
- 2 wins
- Fred CouplesFred CouplesFrederick Steven Couples is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour. A former World No. 1, he has won numerous events, most notably the 1992 Masters Tournament. In August 2011 he won his maiden senior major at the Senior Players Championship...
: 1984, 1996 - Steve ElkingtonSteve ElkingtonStephen John Elkington is an Australian professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He spent over 50 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings from 1995 to 1998.-Early years and education:...
: 1991, 1997 - Davis Love IIIDavis Love IIIDavis Milton Love III is an American professional golfer.Love was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina before turning professional in 1985. He earned his PGA Tour card in the fall of 1985, on his first attempt. He quickly established himself on the PGA...
: 1992, 2003 - Hal SuttonHal SuttonHal Evan Sutton is an American professional golfer.Sutton was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. A promising golfer at the Centenary College of Louisiana, he was named Golf Magazines 1980 College Player of the Year...
: 1983, 2000
- Fred Couples
Tournament highlights
- 1974: Jack NicklausJack NicklausJack William Nicklaus , nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is an American professional golfer. He won 18 career major championships on the PGA Tour over a span of 25 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all time. In addition to his 18 Majors, he was runner-up a...
wins the inaugural edition of the tournament. He beats J.C. Snead by two shots. - 1977: Mark HayesMark Hayes (golfer)Mark S. Hayes is an American professional golfer.-Early years and amateur career:Hayes was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He played collegiately at Oklahoma State University, where he was a two-time All-American...
wins by two shots over Mike McCullough in spite of shooting the highest winning score on the PGA Tour, 289, since Jack Nicklaus at the 1972 U.S. Open. - 1978: Jack Nicklaus wins his third Tournament Players Championship title. He edges Lou Graham by one shot.
- 1979: Bob MurphyBob Murphy (golfer)Robert Joseph Murphy, Jr. is an American professional golfer who was formerly a member of the PGA Tour and currently plays on the Champions Tour. Murphy has won 21 tournaments as a professional.-Early years:...
, a five-time winner on the PGA Tour, shoots a final round 92. Winds were gusting up to 45 miles per hour that day. - 1980: Playing in a final threesome with Gary PlayerGary PlayerGary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six...
and Jack Nicklaus, Lee TrevinoLee TrevinoLee Buck Trevino is an American professional golfer. He is an icon for Mexican Americans, and is often referred to as "The Merry Mex" and "Supermex". He won six major championships over the course of his career.-Early life:...
shoots a final round 70 to edge Ben CrenshawBen CrenshawBen Daniel Crenshaw is an American professional golfer.Crenshaw was born in Austin, Texas. He attended and played golf at Austin High School and the University of Texas, where he won three NCAA Championships from 1971 to 1973...
by one shot. - 1981: Raymond FloydRaymond FloydRaymond Loran "Ray" Floyd is an American professional golfer who has won numerous tournaments on both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour....
defeats Curtis StrangeCurtis StrangeCurtis Northrup Strange is an American professional golfer. He is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. He spent over 200 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings between their debut in 1986 and 1990.-Early years through college:Strange and his...
and Barry JaeckelBarry JaeckelBarry Louis Jaeckel is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour.Jaeckel was born in Los Angeles, California, and is the son of actor Richard Jaeckel...
on the first hole of a sudden death playoff. In addition to the tournament title, Floyd collects an additional $250,000 bonus due to his win at the Doral-Eastern Open the week before. - 1982: After winning the tournament by two shots over Brad BryantBrad BryantBradley Dub Bryant is an American professional golfer.Bryant was born in Amarillo, Texas, the son of a Southern Baptist pastor. He moved with his family to Alamagordo, New Mexico during his youth...
and Scott SimpsonScott Simpson (golfer)Scott William Simpson is an American professional golfer.Simpson was born in San Diego, California. He attended the University of Southern California, where he was two-time medalist at the NCAA Championship . He turned professional in 1977 and graduated in 1978...
, Jerry PateJerry PateJerome Kendrick "Jerry" Pate is an American golfer.Jerry Pate was born in Macon, Georgia. He attended the University of Alabama, where he played on the golf team. Pate had a distinguished amateur career. He won the U.S. Amateur in 1974, and the following year he was a member of victorious U.S....
tosses PGA Tour Commissioner Deane BemanDeane BemanDeane R. Beman is an American professional golfer, golf administrator, and golf course architect.Beman was born in Washington, D.C. and graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, where he played for the varsity golf team. Following graduation, Beman had a career in the insurance...
and TPC at Sawgrass course architect Pete DyePete DyePaul B. "Pete" Dye is a world-renowned golf course designer and a member of a famous family of course designers. He is married to fellow designer and former amateur champion Alice Dye.-Early life:Pete Dye was born in Urbana, Ohio...
into the water adjacent to the 18th green before jumping in himself. - 1983: Hal SuttonHal SuttonHal Evan Sutton is an American professional golfer.Sutton was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. A promising golfer at the Centenary College of Louisiana, he was named Golf Magazines 1980 College Player of the Year...
wins by one shot over Bob Eastwood. John CookJohn Cook (golfer)John Neuman Cook is an American professional golfer, who has played on the PGA Tour and currently plays on the Champions Tour....
came to the 72nd hole tied for the lead with Sutton before hitting his tee shot in the water on his way to a double bogey. - 1984: Fred CouplesFred CouplesFrederick Steven Couples is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour. A former World No. 1, he has won numerous events, most notably the 1992 Masters Tournament. In August 2011 he won his maiden senior major at the Senior Players Championship...
shoots a course record 64 during the second round of play on his way to a one-shot victory over Lee Trevino. - 1986: John MahaffeyJohn MahaffeyJohn Drayton Mahaffey, Jr. is an American professional golfer who has won numerous tournaments including 10 PGA Tour events....
wins by one shot over Larry MizeLarry MizeLawrence Hogan "Larry" Mize is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and currently plays on the Champions Tour...
after Mize makes bogey on four of the last five holes during the final round of play. - 1987: Sandy LyleSandy LyleAlexander Walter Barr "Sandy" Lyle, MBE is a Scottish professional golfer. Lyle has won two major championships during his career. Along with Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam, he became one of Britain's top golfers during the 1980s...
defeats Jeff SlumanJeff SlumanJeffrey George Sluman is an American professional golfer who has won numerous professional golf tournaments including six PGA Tour victories.-Early years:...
on the third hole of a sudden death playoff. On the playoff's second hole as Sluman stood over a 6-foot birdie putt that could have won him the championship, a spectator jumps into the water surrounding the 17th green. - 1988: Jacksonville area resident Mark McCumberMark McCumberMark Randall McCumber is an American golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and Champions Tour.McCumber was born in Jacksonville, Florida. He turned professional in 1974 and joined the PGA Tour in 1978. McCumber won ten times on the PGA Tour between 1979 and 1994 including the prestigious Players...
wins by four shots over Mike ReidMike Reid (golfer)Michael Daniel Reid is an American professional golfer.Reid was born in Bainbridge, Maryland. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1976 and turned professional the same year. During his collegiate golf career, Reid was selected for All-American honors from 1973-1976...
. - 1989: Tom KiteTom KiteThomas Oliver Kite, Jr. is an American professional golfer and golf course architect. He spent 175 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings between 1989 and 1994....
wins for the second consecutive week. He beats Chip Beck by one shot. - 1991: Steve ElkingtonSteve ElkingtonStephen John Elkington is an Australian professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He spent over 50 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings from 1995 to 1998.-Early years and education:...
wins by one shot over Fuzzy ZoellerFuzzy ZoellerFrank Urban "Fuzzy" Zoeller, Jr. is an American professional golfer. He is one of three golfers to have won The Masters in his first appearance in the event. He also won the 1984 U.S. Open, which earned him the 1985 Bob Jones Award....
. Phil BlackmarPhil BlackmarPhilip Arnold Blackmar is an American professional golfer. He played on the PGA Tour from 1985 to 2000 and now plays on the Champions Tour. He was the tallest player on the PGA Tour during his time on tour, standing 6'7"....
had solo possession of the lead before hitting his tee shot into the water on the 71st hole resulting in a double bogey. - 1992: Mark CalcavecchiaMark CalcavecchiaMark John Calcavecchia is an American professional golfer and a former PGA Tour member. During his professional career, he has won thirteen PGA Tour events, including the 1989 Open Championship. Calcavecchia currently plays on the Champions Tour.-Early years:Calcavecchia was born in Laurel,...
and John DalyJohn Daly (golfer)John Patrick Daly is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour.Daly is known primarily for his driving distance off the tee , his non-country club appearance and attitude, and his rough-and-tumble personal life. Daly remains one of the most popular and intriguing figures on the PGA Tour...
are reprimanded by Deputy PGA Tour Commissioner Tim FinchemTim FinchemTimothy W. Finchem is the current Commissioner of golf's PGA Tour.Finchem was born in Ottawa, Illinois. He took the position on June 1, 1994 succeeding Deane Beman, who retired after nearly 20 years in the post...
"for failure to exert their best effort" after they finish their 18 holes of golf in only two hours and three minutes time. - 1994: Greg NormanGreg NormanGregory John Norman AO is an Australian professional golfer and entrepreneur who spent 331 weeks as the world's Number 1 ranked golfer in the 1980s and 1990s...
shoots the 72-hole record score for the tournament, 264, on his way to a four shot victory over Fuzzy Zoeller. - 1995: After Norman's record score, the course is made tougher by the creation of new, rock hard greens. Lee JanzenLee JanzenLee McLeod Janzen is an American golfer who is best known for twice winning the U.S. Open, in 1993 and 1998.-Early years and amateur career:...
shoots 283 to win the tournament, the biggest one-year swing for a tournament played on the same layout in PGA TourPGA TourThe PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
history. - 1996: Twelve years after his first win at the TPC at Sawgrass, Fred Couples triumphs again. He shoots a final round 64 to beat Colin MontgomerieColin MontgomerieColin Stuart Montgomerie, OBE is a Scottish professional golfer, often referred to by one of his nicknames 'Monty'. He has had one of the finest careers in European Tour history, having won a record eight Order of Merit titles, including a streak of seven consecutively from 1993 to 1999, and 31...
and Tommy TollesTommy TollesTommy Tolles is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour.Tolles was born in Ft. Myers, Florida. He has two Nationwide Tour victories and has finished runner-up in two PGA Tour events....
by four shots. - 1999: David DuvalDavid DuvalDavid Robert Duval is an American professional golfer and former World No. 1 who competes on the PGA Tour.-Early years:...
wins by two shots over Scott GumpScott GumpScott Gump is an American professional golfer.Gump was born in Merritt Island, Florida. He has had three Nationwide Tour victories and has finished runner-up three times in PGA Tour tournaments, including The Players Championship in 1999.-Nationwide Tour wins :*1994 NIKE Monterrey Open, NIKE...
. The win by Duval propels him to #1 in the World rankings. - 2000: Hal Sutton wins at the TPC at Sawgrass for a second time. He edges Tiger WoodsTiger WoodsEldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods is an American professional golfer whose achievements to date rank him among the most successful golfers of all time. Formerly the World No...
by one shot. - 2002: Playing for the first time ever in The Players Championship, Craig PerksCraig PerksCraig William Perks is a professional golfer from New Zealand who played on the PGA Tour.Perks was born in Palmerston North. He played college golf at University of Oklahoma and University of Southwestern Louisiana in the United States. He turned professional in 1993 and played on the second tier...
finishes eagle-birdie-par to win by two shots over Stephen AmesStephen AmesStephen Michael Ames is a professional golfer on the PGA Tour holding dual citizenship of Trinidad and Tobago and Canada....
. - 2003: Davis Love III wins The Players Championship for a second time. He shoots a final round 64 to win by six shots over Jay HaasJay HaasJay Dean Haas is an American professional golfer.Haas was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in Belleville, Illinois. He attended Wake Forest University and was a member of the NCAA Championship team of the middle 1970s with Curtis Strange and Bob Byman that Golf World has called "the...
and Pádraig HarringtonPadraig HarringtonPádraig P. Harrington is an Irish professional golfer who plays on The European Tour and The PGA Tour. He has won three major championships: The Open Championship in 2007 and 2008 and the PGA Championship, also in 2008.-Background:...
. - 2004: In spite of hitting his 2nd shot at the 72nd hole into the water, Adam Scott is able to get it up and down for bogey to win by one shot over Pádraig Harrington.
- 2005: Fred FunkFred FunkFrederick Funk is an American professional golfer.Funk was born in Takoma Park, Maryland. He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1980 with a degree in law enforcement. He turned professional in 1981, but worked as a golf coach at his alma mater from 1982 to 1988; he did not...
becomes the tournament's oldest champion by edging Tom LehmanTom LehmanThomas Edward Lehman is an American professional golfer.Lehman was born in Austin, Minnesota, but Alexandria, Minnesota is credited as his official Minnesota hometown. He attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a degree in Business/Accounting and turned professional in 1982. It took...
, Luke DonaldLuke DonaldLuke Campbell Donald is an English professional golfer who is the current World Number One. He plays mainly on the U.S. based PGA Tour but is also a member of the European Tour. In 2006 he reached the top ten in the Official World Golf Rankings for the first time in his career. In January 2007, he...
, and Scott VerplankScott VerplankScott Rachal Verplank is an American professional golfer.Verplank was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He was a leading member of the W.T. White High School Golf Team and a regular at Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas...
by one shot. During the final round, Bob TwayBob TwayRobert Raymond Tway IV is an American professional golfer who has won numerous tournaments including eight PGA Tour victories. He spent 25 weeks in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings in 1986-87....
hit four balls into the water surrounding the 17th green, and scored a twelve on the hole. - 2011: K. J. ChoiChoi Kyung-JuChoi Kyung-Ju , also known as K. J. Choi. is a South Korean professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour. Since turning pro in 1994, he has won a total of eighteen professional golf tournaments worldwide, including eight on the PGA Tour, making him Asia's most successful golfer. His...
becomes the first Asian born golfer to win The Players Championship. He defeats David TomsDavid TomsDavid Wayne Toms is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He has won a total of thirteen events on the PGA Tour including the 2001 PGA Championship...
on the first hole of a sudden death playoff.