PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Rory McIlroy says the Players Championship is “amazing,” but the idea of adding a fifth major to men’s golf? No thanks. In fact, McIlroy seems quite content with the current four majors, despite the PGA Tour’s marketing push suggesting “March is going to be major” for the Players Championship. That begs the question: Should the Players be considered a major, or is McIlroy right to stick with tradition?
Key Takeaways
- Rory McIlroy, a two-time Players champion, believes the event is fantastic but shouldn’t be considered a major.
- Phil Mickelson, another Players winner now on the LIV Golf League, agrees, arguing the absence of LIV players diminishes the field’s strength.
- McIlroy suggests the PGA Championship should return to August to regain its status as “glory’s last shot.” The PGA Championship is scheduled to be played May 15-18 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.
- Scottie Scheffler is the only golfer in the 51-year history of the Players Championship to win back-to-back titles, achieving the feat in 2023 and 2024.
Why Isn’t The Players Championship Considered a Major?
The debate over the Players Championship’s major status isn’t new. The tournament boasts a strong field and is held at the iconic TPC Sawgrass, a challenging course known for its famous island green on the 17th hole. McIlroy highlights the superb fan experience and the quality of the course. “I think the Players is one of the best golf tournaments in the world,” McIlroy said. “I think from a player perspective, it’s amazing. I think from an on-site fan experience, it’s amazing. It’s an amazing golf course, location [and] venue.” According to Golf.com, the purse for the 2024 Players Championship was $25 million, with Scottie Scheffler taking home $4.5 million for his victory. But tradition weighs heavily in golf, and the four majors – the Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship – have a long and storied history. These tournaments are steeped in tradition and are recognized globally as the pinnacle of achievement in men’s professional golf.
McIlroy points to the women’s game, which features five majors, as a cautionary tale. “If you want to see what five major championships look like, look at the women’s game. I don’t know how well that’s [gone] for them,” McIlroy said, suggesting diluting the major pool might not be beneficial. The LPGA includes five majors on its schedule each season: Chevron Championship, U.S. Women’s Open, Women’s PGA Championship, Amundi Evian Championship and the Women’s Open. LIV Golf’s Phil Mickelson added fuel to the fire, arguing that the absence of LIV players diminishes the field and the claim that the Players has a major-caliber field. As of February 2026, Scottie Scheffler is the favorite to win the 2026 Players Championship with +750 odds according to DraftKings.
Can Tradition Trump Modernity in Golf?
McIlroy’s stance is rooted in his respect for the game’s history. He identifies as a “traditionalist” and a “historian of the game,” emphasizing the established order of the four majors. The Players, while prestigious, simply doesn’t have the same historical weight. “But it’s the Players — it doesn’t need to be anything else,” said McIlroy, who defeated J.J. Spaun in a three-hole aggregate playoff at last year’s Players. “Like I would say it’s got more of an identity than the PGA Championship does at the minute.” He believes the PGA Championship should return to its former place in August.
However, the PGA Tour’s marketing campaign signals a desire to elevate the Players’ status. The “March is going to be major” slogan reflects the tour’s efforts to boost the tournament’s profile and attract more attention. According to a Golf Digest study, the Players Championship has a higher average field strength based on world ranking compared to some of the majors in recent years. Whether this push will eventually lead to the Players being recognized as a major remains to be seen, but it highlights the tension between tradition and the evolving landscape of professional golf. “Sometimes, you have to respect the history of the game,” said Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee. “The four majors are the four majors for a reason. The Players is a great event, but it’s not a major, and it shouldn’t try to be.”
Players/Teams Mentioned
- Rory McIlroy: Two-time Players Champion, career Grand Slam winner, 36 years old, currently ranked #2 in the world.
- J.J. Spaun: Lost to McIlroy in a playoff at the 2025 Players Championship, 35 years old, finished T15 at the 2024 PGA Championship.
- Phil Mickelson: 2007 Players Championship winner, LIV Golf League captain, 55 years old, six-time major champion.
- Scottie Scheffler: The only back-to-back champion in the 51-year history of the Players Championship (2023 and 2024), 29 years old, currently ranked #1 in the world.
What This Means
- For PGA Tour fans: The debate over the Players’ major status is likely to continue, fueled by the tour’s marketing efforts and the ongoing competition from LIV Golf. Expect more discussion leading up to the 2026 event in March.
- For golf bettors: Scottie Scheffler remains the favorite to win most PGA Tour events, including the Players Championship with +750 odds (DraftKings). Rory McIlroy is often in the top 5-10 favorites.
- For golf traditionalists: The established four majors are unlikely to change anytime soon, despite the Players’ prestige and the PGA Tour’s attempts to elevate it.
