Golf’s “fifth major” is right around the corner as the Players Championship is set to return to the iconic TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The PGA Tour’s flagship event features the highest single-event purse at $25 million, as well as the strongest field in all of golf.
One year ago, Rory McIlroy defeated JJ Spaun in a playoff battle that secured McIlroy’s second Players Championship, making him just the 8th all-time player to do so. Both players would go on to win major championships in the following months, with McIlroy finally completing his career Grand Slam at Augusta and Spaun winning the U.S. Open at Oakmont in June.
The 52nd edition of the Players Championship has plenty of storylines. The 2023 and 2024 champion Scottie Scheffler, to no surprise, opens as the betting favorite in 2026. The world No. 1 is the only player to have ever won the championship back-to-back. Tommy Fleetwood’s excellent ball striking has always made him one to watch in March. The 35-year-old Englishman finally captured his elusive first career PGA Tour win at the Tour Championship last fall after 28 top-five finishes produced no victory. Talent has never been the issue for Fleetwood, and now, with a big-time win under his belt, is 2026 the year that Fleetwood can prove himself a regular winner at the Players Championship?
Outside of the usual big names, Chris Gotterup is definitely a frontrunner to win at Sawgrass. With two PGA Tour wins under his belt, the former college standout has skyrocketed to fifth in the world rankings. Gotterup sends the ball a very long way, ranking second in strokes gained off the tee and fifth in driving distance, which works out well at Sawgrass. Not only does Gotterup succeed on the tee, but his world-class short game also places him toward the top in scrambling.
The iconic 17th island green always brings an element of chaos to the championship. In 2025, it was the second playoff hole, where JJ Spaun sent a towering 8-iron over the pin and found the water, sealing the deal for Rory’s second title. Since 1982, there have only been 14 hole-in-ones on the 17th. While the 137-yard par-3 is one of the shortest holes players will face all season on the PGA Tour, water on every side, as well as changing winds, makes it one of the most difficult shots in all of golf. In fact, there hasn’t been an ace since 2023.
The 2026 Players Championship will be another classic showdown, with the best talent in the world going head-to-head in one of the sport’s most cherished venues. There is really no better way to bring in a major championship season than the Players Championship.
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A lifelong DC native and sports enthusiast, Declan serves as a Digital Content Intern for SportsJourney.com. He is the host of the "Hear Me Out" podcast, featuring notable NFL players and insiders around the sports landscape. Declan has previously served as a digital and print journalist for the Woodgrove Outlander, and is currently pursuing his college degree in Communications.
Jack
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