The 2025 Players Championship, often referred to as the "fifth major," is set to take place from March 13 to 16 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. This year's tournament is particularly noteworthy as Scottie Scheffler aims to achieve a historic three-peat, having secured victories in both 2023 and 2024.
Tournament Overview:
Dates: March 13–16, 2025
Location: TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Course: Stadium Course, Par 72, 7,245 yards
Purse: $25 million, with the winner receiving $4.5 million and 750 FedEx Cup points
The Field
A 144-player field will compete at TPC Sawgrass, with the tournament bringing together an impressive array of top players from around the world. Some of the notable names include:
Scottie Scheffler – World No. 1 and two-time defending champion
Rory McIlroy – The Northern Irishman is always a contender in big events
Collin Morikawa – With his precision game, Morikawa will be a threat
Xander Schauffele – With two major wins last year, Schauffele is always a fan favorite
Jordan Spieth – A former winner at TPC Sawgrass, Spieth will be gunning for another victory
Justin Thomas – The 2022 champion will be hoping to return to form
Hideki Matsuyama – A strong ball-striker, Matsuyama could shine on this course
Will Zalatoris – The young star is looking for his first big tournament title
The Course: TPC Sawgrass
TPC Sawgrass is known for its dramatic design, and the infamous 17th island green is one of the most recognizable holes in golf. This par-3 demands both precision and mental toughness, often making or breaking players' rounds.
For the 2025 edition, the course has undergone some modifications, with 75 yards added to the length, increasing the challenge for players. With the tournament being played at 7,245 yards, every shot will count, and the players will need to stay sharp through all 18 holes.
Key Storylines
Scheffler's Pursuit of History: As the first player to win back-to-back Players Championships since Tiger Woods in 2001 and 2002, Scheffler is eyeing a third consecutive victory, a feat that would cement his legacy among the game's greats. His well-rounded game and consistent performances make him a favorite to lift the trophy once again.
Course Modifications: TPC Sawgrass has seen some renovations that could make the course even more challenging. These changes will test the players' ability to adapt and execute under pressure.
The Return of Big Names: Golf fans will also be watching to see if Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, or Justin Thomas can reclaim the crown at Sawgrass. McIlroy, in particular, has had a few near-misses, and his performance here will be closely scrutinized as he aims for his first Players Championship victory.
A Potential Breakout Star: Younger players like Collin Morikawa, Will Zalatoris, and Viktor Hovland will be looking to make a statement at this iconic event. With their talent, they have the ability to capture their first victory in this high-stakes tournament.
Collin Morikawa to win outright (+1500)
With a solo-second at the Arnold Palmer last week, Collin Morikawa has now carded nine Top 5 finishes since his last win at the ZOZO Championship in October 2023. He’s gained true strokes across the board during the winless drought, including pacing this field in true strokes gained tee-to-green and ranking second on approach this season. Morikawa was also first in true strokes gained tee-to-green last week at Bay Hill, and I’m expecting it to all come together for PGA Tour win No. 5 this week at Sawgrass.
Justin Thomas to win outright (+2200)
The 2021 PLAYERS Champion has gained true strokes on approach in nine consecutive trips to TPC Sawgrass, and he also has been on the plus side of the metric in his past 12 events to rank second in this field during the stretch. JT had a tough weekend at Bay Hill, but he’s still fourth in scoring average and eighth in birdie average this season, and he’s carded five Top 10s across his past eight events — including a pair of runner-ups and a T3. He’s a proven winner on Pete Dye courses, and heads to this year’s PLAYERS in winning form.
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