After three signature events in recent weeks, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the Genesis Invitational and the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the PGA Tour season has well and truly taken flight.
The Players Championship isn’t one of the Tour’s Signature Events, but it is its flagship tournament, and in 2026, it is being held for the 52nd time.
As it has done every year since 1982, the tournament takes place at TPC Sawgrass, where most of the world’s best players will assemble for the chance to win the famous trophy as well as a prize money of $4.5m from the overall purse of $25m.
Various categories qualify players for the tournament, providing they meet PGA Tour eligibility requirements to compete, including winners of PGA Tour events since the last edition, recent Major winners, and the top 100 in the previous season’s FedEx Cup points list.
As a result, all but a few of the world’s best players will be teeing it up in Florida.
JJ Spaun lost in a playoff to Rory McIlroy a year ago
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Despite withdrawing from the Arnold Palmer Invitational before the third round because of a back injury, Rory McIlroy is expected to be fit to defend his title. A year ago, he beat JJ Spaun in a Monday playoff to take the title for the second time. Spaun, who went on to win the US Open last year, also plays.
Other recent winners of The Players Championship in the field include World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, who took the title in both 2023 and 2024.
McIlroy and Scheffler are the only two players in the field capable of matching Jack Nicklaus’ record of titles at the event. He won it for the third time in 1978.
Scottie Scheffler is looking for his third Players Championship title
(Image credit: Getty Images)
There’s no place for 2022 winner Cameron Smith as he is now a LIV Golfer, but 2021 champion Justin Thomas is in the field to make only his second PGA Tour appearance since returning after being sidelined for four months following back surgery.
As well as former winners, other big names…
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