• Loading stock data...
Friday, May 30, 2025

The Players Championship Looks To Cement ‘Fifth Major’ Status

  • Golf’s unofficial fifth major is the only sporting event to allow youth aged 15 and under to attend free of charge alongside ticketed adults.
  • $15 million prize pool is the largest in golf. 2019 generated a record $9.25 million for local charities in Northeast Florida.
the-players-championship
Photo Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Masters is famously known as “a tradition unlike any other.” The United States Open recently unveiled a new tagline, “From Many, One” as a nod to its 120-year major championship history as arguably golf’s toughest tournament. The Open Championship is not only the oldest golf tournament in the world, but is open to any golfer. The jury is still out on The PGA Championship, which was always known as the final major in the PGA Tour schedule until the tournament moved up to May in 2019.

Outside of professional golf’s most prestigious events, one has become the sport’s unofficial fifth major championship and a favorite for both fans and players. The Players Championship, with a $15 million prize pool – and winner’s share of $2.7 million – is the largest of any professional golf event in 2020. 

“Really, The Players Championship kicks off this season of championships, and that is being the first in a series of the signature events on the PGA tour schedule,” Jared Rice, executive director of The Players, said. “Thinking about the overall cadence of the season, that puts the tournament in a really special place, and it does stand on its own in terms of not only the competitive factors but what we can provide fans from an experience.”

Every visitor’s experience at a sporting event begins before they even enter the venue. With expected day sellouts on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday during tournament week, The Players has adopted mobile tickets into its business operations. One reason is so staff can be more predictive and communicative with visitors ahead of the event, Rice said. They will be paying closer attention when people are arriving and what type of tickets they are entering with to determine what kind of experience should be for them.

Fears of coronavirus have prompted organizers to keep plenty of hand sanitizer available, while encouraging fans to bring their own. Fans have also been warned that golfers may not be signing autographs, and the PGA Tour announced that it is establishing a task force to monitor the situation. The tournament is focused on maintaining minimal disruption and a smooth fan experience.

Before they arrive, fans will receive a mobile message that they have to download their mobile tickets and put them in their mobile wallet, Rice said. If they forget to, they will receive more notifications once they enter the on-site parking lots to have their mobile tickets ready. In advance, The Players have expanded its public Wi-Fi zones and added a mobile concierge provided by AT&T to assist any spectators who are experiencing technical difficulties.

For those who make their way through security, Rice expects a decent amount to be 15-years-old and under. The Players is the only professional sporting event to allow youth 15 and under to attend under the supervision of a ticketed adult. At the tournament, they can partake in kids-only autograph areas, a 2,000 square foot kids zone, and kids-friendly food across TPC Sawgrass, the host venue.

“These things in aggregate, I think, are illustrative of our desire to have and embrace young people and families to be out at an event of this magnitude,” Rice said.

Outside of watching major champions like Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy, and Justin Thomas tee it up, fans can also enjoy entertainment from an unlikely source. For the first time in The Players’ history, a pop/EDM artist – The Chainsmokers – will perform at the Military Appreciation Ceremony on Tuesday, March 10, on TPC Sawgrass’s iconic 17th hole. 

READ MORE: PGA Tour Live Offers Glimpse of Future With Every Shot During The Players

The Chainsmokers have a strong affinity and regard for the military, Marsha Oliver, The Players’ senior director of community outreach, said. The group has previously performed concerts and other tributes for the military. 

The Chainsmokers’ involvement at this year’s Players Championship is a part of the PGA TOUR’s Birdies for the Brave initiative, which was created in 2004 by Phil Mickelson and his wife, Amy, in collaboration with Glenn Cohen, to raise funds for combat-wounded veterans.

Oliver declined to comment on how much money Birdies for the Brave has raised since its inception, other than that the PGA TOUR donates millions of dollars to military-specific initiatives and organizations. She did add that The 2019 Players generated a record $9.25 million for local charities in Northeast Florida. 

“We are very committed to the communities in which we play,” Oliver said. “That requires us to engage and learn more about the needs of the communities where we are. Our goal is to be there, to help impact, and to be able to help organizations advance and bolster the things that are making a difference in the lives of community members.”

READ MORE: As PGA Tour Moves Along With New Format, TPC Boston Handles Loss Of Event

From the military personnel on-site to the young families who will be taking in all of the action, Rice will be paying close attention to every person who has thoughts on their experience at one of the PGA TOUR’s flagship events.

“Whether they’re here as civic and community supporters, bucket-list sports event attendees, or even pure golf fans, we have something that applies to everybody,” Rice said. “It’s done under the umbrella of what we look at as the best golf event in the world. Period.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

PGA Tour’s $100M Playoffs Alter Bonus Payout for Tour Championship

The Tour Championship will no longer award $25 million to its winner.

New LPGA Commissioner: Women’s Golf ‘Really Hard’ to Find on TV

Former PGA of America COO Craig Kessler will lead the tour.
Caddy Ted Scott talks with Scottie Scheffler during the second round of the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl. Friday March 14, 2025.

How Do You Become a PGA Tour Caddie?

The pathways, skills, and expectations for caddying at golf’s highest level.
May 18, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Scottie Scheffler tees off on the third hole during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow.

How Do You Become a PGA Tour Pro Golfer?

The pathways, skills, and experience needed to compete at golf’s highest level.

Featured Today

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 24, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Basketball Universe—Thanks to Both Pro Teams

The Fever and Pacers are thriving at the same time.
Sponsored

Game the Green: Transforming Fan Experiences at TPC Sawgrass

As fans gather at THE PLAYERS Championship, Comcast Business will be keeping spectators and the PGA TOUR connected like never before.
October 8, 2024

NBA GMs Rank Salary-Cap Apron As Rule That Needs to Change Most

Schedule changes finished second with 17% of the vote.
February 3, 2025

Super Bowl Ticket Prices Crash As Hotel Rooms See Historic Rate Hike

Prices sink by about 30%, due in part to a lodging crunch.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
September 8, 2024

US Open Breaks Attendance Record

Top-seeded Jannik Sinner beat No. 12 Taylor Fritz in straight sets Sunday.
Sponsored

Mastercard’s Foodies & Fairways: Where Golf Meets Gourmet at the TOUR Championship

This year’s TOUR Championship in Atlanta isn’t just about world-class golf—it’s also a celebration of local flavors.
July 18, 2024

Loyal WNBA Fans Hit With Enormous Season-Ticket Price Hikes

Some season-ticket holders are seeing their prices doubled.
July 16, 2024

CONMEBOL, Hard Rock Stadium Continue Trading Blame Over Copa Disaster

Each blames the other for the security madness at Sunday’s final.