The anticipation is high as the world’s top golfers prepare to take on the legendary TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course for the 51st edition of THE PLAYERS Championship. With an expanded course layout and a strong field, all eyes are on Scottie Scheffler, who is aiming to make history with a third consecutive victory at the PGA TOUR’s premier event.
Here’s everything you need to know before the action unfolds at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Field Overview
- Scottie Scheffler returns as the defending champion, seeking an unprecedented three-peat at THE PLAYERS. If he succeeds, he will join Jack Nicklaus as only the second player to win this event three times and will become the first player to win the same PGA TOUR event three years in a row since Steve Stricker (John Deere Classic, 2009-2011).
- Rory McIlroy, the 2019 PLAYERS champion, looks to build on his recent AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am victory.
- A total of eight past champions will compete, including Justin Thomas, Jason Day, Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar, and Adam Scott.
- Karl Vilips, fresh off his win at the Puerto Rico Open, makes his PLAYERS debut alongside 23 other first-timers in the field.
- 48 of the world’s top 50 players are set to compete.
Top-Ranked Players in the Field
| World Rank | Player | FedExCup Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scottie Scheffler | 1 |
| 2 | Rory McIlroy | 7 |
| 3 | Xander Schauffele | – |
| 4 | Collin Morikawa | 5 |
| 5 | Ludvig Åberg | 3 |
| 6 | Hideki Matsuyama | 4 |
| 7 | Russell Henley | 2 |
| 8 | Wyndham Clark | – |
| 9 | Justin Thomas | 9 |
| 10 | Tommy Fleetwood | 10 |
Course Updates: TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course
- Total Yardage: 7,352 yards | Par: 72
- Built in 1980 by Pete Dye, the course underwent a major renovation in 2016.
- New Additions for 2024:
- Hole 2: A new back tee adds 23 yards.
- Hole 6: An iconic tree has been re-planted to restore tee shot difficulty.
- Hole 11: A 15-yard extension makes the par-5 more challenging.
- Hole 14: Stronger, deeper moguls and added native grasses create a tougher right-side approach.
- Overall, 77 additional yards have been added across four key holes.
🏆 Past Champions’ Success: Since THE PLAYERS moved back to March, the last five winners were ranked inside the top 10 in the world at the time of their victory.
Course Records
- 72-hole record: 264, Greg Norman (1994)
- 18-hole record: 62, Tom Hoge (2023, Round 3)
Last Year’s Recap: A Historic Win for Scheffler
In 2023, Scottie Scheffler delivered a dominant final-round 64, featuring an eagle hole-out from 92 yards on Hole 4, securing his second consecutive PLAYERS title. He matched the largest comeback and lowest closing round by a winner in tournament history.
The championship came down to the wire, with Brian Harman, Xander Schauffele, and Wyndham Clark all finishing just one shot behind at 19-under. Clark had a final chance to tie but narrowly missed his birdie putt on the 72nd hole.
What’s at Stake?
- 750 FedExCup points awarded to the winner.
- The prestigious PLAYERS Champion title, considered one of golf’s biggest achievements.
How to Watch THE PLAYERS Championship
📺 TV Coverage (ET Time)
- Thursday – Friday: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (ESPN+), 1 – 7 p.m. (Golf Channel/NBC)
- Saturday: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. (ESPN+), 2 – 7 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)
- Sunday: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (ESPN+), 1 – 7 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)
🎥 Special Coverage & Features
- Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.: “Live: On the Range from THE PLAYERS Championship” on PGA TOUR YouTube & Golf Channel.
- Wednesday, 4:10 – 7 p.m.: Creator Classic Series on PGA TOUR YouTube.
- ESPN BET on PGA TOUR LIVE: Exclusive betting insights and coverage.
Final Thoughts
With Scottie Scheffler chasing history, a stacked field, and an upgraded TPC Sawgrass, this year’s PLAYERS Championship promises to be an unforgettable battle. Stay tuned for live updates and in-depth coverage as the world’s best golfers take center stage.
🏌️♂️ Who will claim the coveted PLAYERS title? We’ll find out soon! 🎯
