From the article: The Players Championship
The Players Championship is traditionally thought of as the fifth-most important tournament on the PGA Tour, ranking only behind the four major championships. But some fans, some golfers, and some media members believe The Players Championship is on the same level as the four majors. Others believe that The Players Championship will be recognized as a major some day, even if it isn't right now. What do you think? Should The Players Championship already be considered a major? If not, will The Players Championship someday achieve major championship status? What Do You Think?
Newcomer says no
- I am 34 and came into watching golf with Tiger. I have stuck around because I love watching it so much! I do not think adding it as a major is the correct thing to do. It would confuse records. Also to me, it does not feel like a major in terms of tv coverage etc. I am sure that would change if it became one though. I like it as the unofficial 5th major. It would dilute the exsisting majors and just seem forced. I guess what I am trying to say is "if you have to debate it or convince people then it's just not time yet". If it should be a 5th major then we will all know that time and place when it comes. Right now it would just be forced.
- —Guest Joeytdog
Absolutely
- I believe moving the Players to a different date encourages it to be a major. If it were a major the current #1 ranked player in the world would be playing. 5 months 5 majors. I think the main argument is past champions do they get majors added, that would put jack over 20 and tiger at 15 it would be great for the players and the fans
- —Guest TinCup
not yet
- They've been touting this as the 5th major since its inception but it still isn't. I'd like to see The Players belong to all the tours and actually build TPC courses to hold it in Australia, south or southern Africa, Europe but not in Scotland or England, S.America and even China or/and India. Replicate the 17th and even 16 through 18 can be very similar but the point is to play it outside the States every 2nd year. Sawgrass - Oz - Sawgrass - Euro - Sawgrass - China etc. I think if they did that, they would elevate it's stature to that of a major. Maybe even THE most coveted if not recognized major. 125 yrs ago there was only one major. 70 odd years ago Jones won the grand slam without the PGA or the Masters obviously. Palmer created the modern grand slam in 1960 so there's room for change. But under it's current format I don't think it should be considered a major.
- —Guest Brian
Great tournament, but NOT A MAJOR!
- This debate is needless. There are four tournaments that make up golf's Grand Slam: The Masters; the United States Open; the Open Championship (British Open); and the PGA Championship. This is an official list. So, make all of the arguments, catch phrases, points in favor of the Player's that you want but when it's all said and done, there are FOUR official majors in men's professional golf--period. Emphatically calling it a major will not make it a major. It is what it is--a great tournament but NOT a major!
- —Guest Ed
why not?
- it's better than the British Open and the PGA Championship, i mean why not make it a major. it has the tradition like the masters and the senior tour has 5 majors so i dont understand why it wasnt a major along time ago.
- —Guest ryan carmen
Who cares?! It's good regardless
- Let’s all just enjoy The PLAYERS this week for what it is. It’s one of the top pro golf tournaments of the year. Thankfully we have more than four to appreciate. Giving it a label won’t make it any better than it already is.
- —Guest GolferWriterGuy
5th Major
- Yes, I think it should be. the best players are there; it's certainly a quality curse (they lie about having an island green, that's in Coeur d'Alene ID) but it should be. Actually, it already is. they just have to admit it is.
- —Guest Don Shaw Jr
Compare
- Compare viewing stats; compare attendance; compare fields; compare the purse; compare the media attention; compare the course; Yep! It's a major allright, just need to call it one
- —Guest Duffman
NO!!!!!
- No,"Tradition" only four in a year. The game of GOLF is based on Tradition (850 years since Kolf-Golf) we must keep the game as it has been. Only four "Mayors" in a year.
- —Guest Francisco Ponce.
Why should it be a major?
- What's wrong with having other important tournaments? Too many majors diminishes them all. This is a game of long traditions, let's protect them.
- —Golferblogger
A rose by any other name
- If every year, the top players in the world converge on The Players Championship, it is "already" a major. If compared to the other majors, the Masters has the history but not the depth of field of The Players. The British Open has the greatest "luck" variable with the weather. Considering that majors are generally tight affairs with only one shot separating the winner, if you play the wrong 4-5 hour slot on any of the 4 days, you can quickly be out of the running through no real fault of your own. So, is The Players a fairer test for the deepest field of the world's top golf professionals? If yes, then it is "already" a major. But having said that, 4 majors in a year is plenty. If we allow The Players status to be changed, which other tournaments will we open the door to in future?
- —Guest Bobsuruncle
A rose by any other name
- If the top players in the world converge on The Players Championship, it is "already" a major. With the other majors, the Masters has the history but not the depth of field of The Players.
- —Guest Bobsuruncle
Players Championship a Major?
- Should not happen..4 is the long established # so the Players must remain the MOST important non-major these lucky gentlemen get to play!
- —Guest Brian Kelley
Yes
- Yes I believe the players championship should become a Major as it would then attract more top players and benefit golf as a whole
- —Guest Merv Johns
Yes, it's a major!
- Come on, the absolute best players in the world playing on a monster of a course - what more do the golf gods need to declare this the 5th major???
- —WirelessCobra
It already is a major
- Just look at the way the players treat it. Look at the way the fans treat it. Look at the way the media treats it - exactly as if they were covering the US Open or the Masters. Maybe nobody wants to call it a major, but it's just semantics. If it walks like a major and quacks like a major, it's a major. The Players Championship IS a major.
- —Guest Harpo
