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Behind-the-scenes look at The Players as tournament chief reveals course changes latest, prize money and ‘most iconic hole in golf’
Amid a backdrop of yet more golf uncertainty, The Players Championship will provide a welcome rest from outside talk and allow the best in the game to show their quality. The Players is one of the showpiece tournaments of the year, sitting just beneath the four majors and producing drama year in, year out. The Players is one of the most prestigious events of the golfing yearGetty Scottie Scheffler is the two-time defending champion at TPC Sawgrass and returns eyeing an unprecedented three-peat. He’ll be up against the likes of Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas as fans await the blockbuster theatre of the famous trio of closing holes at Ponte Vedra Beach. Since Cameron Smith, now on the LIV Golf tour, won at Sawgrass in 2022, the landscape of the golf world has been ever-changing. Players have defected, rifts have formed and ill-feeling has been rife throughout the game. It would appear some of the wounds are starting to heal and a resolution may be on the cards soon. The Players may just provide the perfect stage for some answers from golf’s top brass, including outgoing PGA Tour commisioner Jay Monahan. Monahan will no doubt be questioned on such topics as prize money, the length and difficulty of current courses and how he plans to bring the game back together. Sawgrass will also hope to shed light on some of those matters as Players Executive Director, Lee Smith, has exclusively told talkSPORT. The prize money at The Players is now at a whopping $25million, $15m up from when Rickie Fowler won 10 years ago. Asked if the cash could increase further amid the LIV standoff and other factors, Smith said: “There is a lot of discussion around money in our sport, and part of putting on a premier championship comes the need to increase the purse. Scottie Scheffler is a two-time defending champion at The PlayersGetty “For our players, it’s a nice added bonus, but we know – because they’ve told us – the goal is to become a Players Champion, regardless of the pay-out that comes with it. “To beat a field of your peers in an event which is constantly customized and elevated by the PGA Tour and its membership, is a life-long dream for so many of them. “It’s hard to predict where purses will climb to in the years to come, but we will ensure we are putting the best event forward and allowing the game’s stars to compete on an incredible stage for a purse worthy of The Players Championship.” Scheffler won The Players by carding 20-under-par last year, a mammoth score in the flagship event on the PGA Tour. Courses such as Augusta National are continuing to get longer as the modern day player revamps the limits for elite golf and Sawgrass is ready to respond. Smith said: “Part of what makes The Players Stadium Course special is that it favours no one style of play, which is why we’ve seen players like Calvin Peete and Fred Funk capture the title, as well as long-hitters like Tiger, Rory and Scottie. The drama at TPC Sawgrass is always brilliant to watchGetty Upcoming golf events March 23 PGA Tour – Valspar Championship, Innisbrook Resort DP World Tour – Porsche Singapore Classic, Laguna National Golf Resort Club March 30 PGA TOUR – Texas Children’s Houston Open, Memorial Park Golf Course DP World Tour – Hero Indian Open April 6 PGA Tour – Valero Texas Open, TPC San Antonio, San Antonio April 13 Major Championship – The Masters, Augusta National April 20 PGA Tour – RBC Heritage, Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island (Signature Event) PGA Tour – Corales Puntacana Championship DP World Tour – Volvo China Open “Our goal with this property is to honour the vision that Pete Dye had over 40 years ago, and to make sure the shot values around every corner remain intact. “If that means lengthening a few holes, which we’ve done here and there, then that’s the route we’ll go. “But our objective remains to test every facet of a player’s game, which means at times you will sit on a tee box and decide between 3-4 different options based on the approach you want to the green, so it’s not just pulling the driver 24/7. “Pete wanted you to be faced with a decision on every single shot, and that’s a mind-set we carry every day to honour his legacy.” One thing TPC Sawgrass will always have is it’s iconic par-3 17th hole. The island green hole measures just 137 yards, a flick of a wedge, but will once again prove a fearsome test for the best in the game this week. Smith stopped short of calling it the greatest hole in golf but he can’t wait to see the drama unfold of the diminutive yet destructive green. He said: “There are so many great holes in golf that I feel it does the game a disservice to call one the greatest. Rory McIlroy plays TPC Sawgrass’ famous 17th holeGetty “When I look at No. 17, it’s the most iconic hole in golf, and I define that as one that any person in a bar, at home, on
Amid a backdrop of yet more golf uncertainty, The Players Championship will provide a welcome rest from outside talk and allow the best in the game to show their quality.
The Players is one of the showpiece tournaments of the year, sitting just beneath the four majors and producing drama year in, year out.
Scottie Scheffler is the two-time defending champion at TPC Sawgrass and returns eyeing an unprecedented three-peat.
He’ll be up against the likes of Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas as fans await the blockbuster theatre of the famous trio of closing holes at Ponte Vedra Beach.
Since Cameron Smith, now on the LIV Golf tour, won at Sawgrass in 2022, the landscape of the golf world has been ever-changing.
Players have defected, rifts have formed and ill-feeling has been rife throughout the game.
It would appear some of the wounds are starting to heal and a resolution may be on the cards soon.
The Players may just provide the perfect stage for some answers from golf’s top brass, including outgoing PGA Tour commisioner Jay Monahan.
Monahan will no doubt be questioned on such topics as prize money, the length and difficulty of current courses and how he plans to bring the game back together.
Sawgrass will also hope to shed light on some of those matters as Players Executive Director, Lee Smith, has exclusively told talkSPORT.
The prize money at The Players is now at a whopping $25million, $15m up from when Rickie Fowler won 10 years ago.
Asked if the cash could increase further amid the LIV standoff and other factors, Smith said: “There is a lot of discussion around money in our sport, and part of putting on a premier championship comes the need to increase the purse.
“For our players, it’s a nice added bonus, but we know – because they’ve told us – the goal is to become a Players Champion, regardless of the pay-out that comes with it.
“To beat a field of your peers in an event which is constantly customized and elevated by the PGA Tour and its membership, is a life-long dream for so many of them.
“It’s hard to predict where purses will climb to in the years to come, but we will ensure we are putting the best event forward and allowing the game’s stars to compete on an incredible stage for a purse worthy of The Players Championship.”
Scheffler won The Players by carding 20-under-par last year, a mammoth score in the flagship event on the PGA Tour.
Courses such as Augusta National are continuing to get longer as the modern day player revamps the limits for elite golf and Sawgrass is ready to respond.
Smith said: “Part of what makes The Players Stadium Course special is that it favours no one style of play, which is why we’ve seen players like Calvin Peete and Fred Funk capture the title, as well as long-hitters like Tiger, Rory and Scottie.
Upcoming golf events
March 23
- PGA Tour – Valspar Championship, Innisbrook Resort
- DP World Tour – Porsche Singapore Classic, Laguna National Golf Resort Club
March 30
- PGA TOUR – Texas Children’s Houston Open, Memorial Park Golf Course
- DP World Tour – Hero Indian Open
April 6
- PGA Tour – Valero Texas Open, TPC San Antonio, San Antonio
April 13
- Major Championship – The Masters, Augusta National
April 20
- PGA Tour – RBC Heritage, Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island (Signature Event)
- PGA Tour – Corales Puntacana Championship
- DP World Tour – Volvo China Open
“Our goal with this property is to honour the vision that Pete Dye had over 40 years ago, and to make sure the shot values around every corner remain intact.
“If that means lengthening a few holes, which we’ve done here and there, then that’s the route we’ll go.
“But our objective remains to test every facet of a player’s game, which means at times you will sit on a tee box and decide between 3-4 different options based on the approach you want to the green, so it’s not just pulling the driver 24/7.
“Pete wanted you to be faced with a decision on every single shot, and that’s a mind-set we carry every day to honour his legacy.”
One thing TPC Sawgrass will always have is it’s iconic par-3 17th hole.
The island green hole measures just 137 yards, a flick of a wedge, but will once again prove a fearsome test for the best in the game this week.
Smith stopped short of calling it the greatest hole in golf but he can’t wait to see the drama unfold of the diminutive yet destructive green.
He said: “There are so many great holes in golf that I feel it does the game a disservice to call one the greatest.
“When I look at No. 17, it’s the most iconic hole in golf, and I define that as one that any person in a bar, at home, on their phone, could look up and see and instantly know that’s TPC Sawgrass.
“The defining moment that hole provides – not just on Sunday but all week – speaks to the excitement of the moment, our fans holding their breath, and each player being terrified over a 140-yard shot they could hit in their sleep – if it wasn’t for the 10,000 fans and full body of water around the green.
“I love the fact that it’s the 71st hole in The Players and if you want to win this championship, it’s time to hit a great shot.”
Full commentary of The Players Championship will be live on talkSPORT 2 throughout the week.
