The PGA Tour has launched a bold new marketing push positioning The Players Championship as golf’s unofficial “fifth major,” reigniting a long-standing debate just weeks ahead of the 2026 edition at TPC Sawgrass.
The campaign, which debuted during the WM Phoenix Open in early February, features a dramatic promotional video highlighting iconic moments from the tournament’s history. It culminates in the emphatic tagline: “March is going to be major.” The all-caps emphasis on “major” has sparked widespread discussion across golf media, social platforms, and among players, with many interpreting it as the Tour’s most direct effort yet to elevate its flagship event to major status.
Under new CEO Brian Rolapp, the PGA Tour appears intent on strengthening The Players’ prestige amid ongoing challenges, including competition from LIV Golf and private equity involvement from Strategic Sports Group (SSG). The event boasts the sport’s largest purse at $25 million, a deep field of top PGA Tour talent, and one of golf’s most demanding venues in the iconic Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass—home to the famous island-green 17th hole.
The Players has long carried the “fifth major” nickname, dating back decades due to its elite field (historically the strongest outside the four traditional majors) and high stakes. However, it has never received official recognition from the sport’s governing bodies or the majors’ organizing entities (Augusta National, USGA, R&A, and PGA of America).
The renewed initiative has drawn mixed reactions. Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee fanned the flames by declaring The Players “stands alone and above the other four major championships” in metrics like field strength and difficulty, calling it “the best major” in a viral take.
Two-time Players champion Rory McIlroy, however, pushed back during his 2026 Pebble Beach Pro-Am title defense. “The Players, it doesn’t need to be anything else,” McIlroy said. “I would say it’s got more of an identity than the PGA Championship does at the minute.” He suggested the men’s game stick to four majors and even floated moving the PGA Championship back to August for better scheduling.
Other voices, including Greg Norman, have dismissed the idea outright. “Negative, mate. There are only 4 Majors,” the Shark said, noting historical calls for events like the Australian Open to gain similar status.
A PGA Tour spokesperson emphasized that ultimate recognition lies with “our sport and its fans,” while acknowledging long discussions about The Players’ status. Critics argue the campaign feels manufactured to generate buzz, especially as the event has lost some star power since LIV Golf’s launch in 2022, and its field size has shrunk to 120 players.
Proponents counter that The Players often delivers stronger competition than some traditional majors, particularly the PGA Championship, and its March timing fills a key gap in the calendar.
As the golf world awaits The Players Championship from March 12-15, 2026, the marketing salvo has succeeded in one regard: it’s got everyone talking. Whether it translates to a genuine shift in how the event is perceived—or remains a provocative promotional tactic—remains to be seen.
The iconic 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass and scenes from past Players Championships underscore why the event commands such attention in this ongoing debate.
