The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass is one of golf’s most prestigious events, but it has also been the stage for some of the sport’s most controversial moments. From heated rivalries to dramatic on-course blunders, this tournament has seen it all.

Over the years, the event has produced stories that go beyond the usual golf chatter, often making headlines for the wrong reasons. Let us take a look at the top five most controversial moments we have witnessed so far at the TPC Sawgrass, ranking them from the most shocking to the ones that still leave fans buzzing.

5. Keith Mitchell’s angry club slam

One of the most memorable moments from the 2023 Players Championship came when Keith Mitchell found himself in a bit of a bind. After sending a ball into the water, he unleashed his frustration, slamming his club into the tee box like a lumberjack chopping wood—just as the weather horn sounded with perfect timing. The combination of the angry club slam and the horn was comedy gold. Fast forward to March 2024, and Mitchell joined Smylie Kaufman and Kevin Kisner on the “Happy Hour” segment to relive that unforgettable moment. Somehow, the rehash of the situation was even funnier than the original.

The three of them broke it down, and the laughter just kept coming. It’s hard to say what was funnier: Mitchell’s epic walk back to the clubhouse, practically daring lightning to strike, Kisner’s jokes about the “trench” on the tee box, or Mitchell’s caddie, John Limanti, standing by with an umbrella in hand. 

4. Rory McIlroy’s bad shot turned into a memorable moment

Rory McIlroy made quite an impression during the first round of the 2024 PLAYERS, racking up an impressive 10 birdies to sit atop the leaderboard. But it wasn’t one of those birdies that got the most attention—it was a mistake that turned into a memorable moment. On the par-4 seventh hole, McIlroy pulled his tee shot into the water on his 16th hole of the day. Unsure of where the ball had crossed, he engaged in a detailed conversation with his playing partners to determine if the ball had bounced before entering the hazard.

There was some debate about whether the ball had landed below the hazard line, which would have required McIlroy to take a drop much farther back than he initially chose. The entire ordeal became the focal point of the Golf Channel’s postgame show, offering an unexpected twist to what had otherwise been a strong round for McIlroy.

3. Cameron Smith’s deflection led to his loss of privileges at the TPC Sawgrass

Cameron Smith may have found a new chapter with LIV Golf, but in doing so, he lost a few perks at TPC Sawgrass. After signing with LIV, the 2022 Players Championship winner had his reserved parking spot removed from the course. Additionally, a replica bag featuring his winning clubs, along with photos, was taken down from the pro shop and clubhouse, according to Golfweek’s Adam Schupak. Schupak shared a photo showing the parking space, which previously read

“Reserved for 2022 Players champ Cameron Smith,” now changed to “Reserved for Tour players only.”

TPC Sawgrass General Manager Derek Sprague told Golfweek, “If they go to LIV, they don’t have any of their (PGA) Tour privileges at TPC properties.” While PGA Tour members still enjoy access to the course, Smith’s situation stands out since he’s a resident of Ponte Vedra Beach, just a short drive from the course. As a regular at TPC Sawgrass, he’ll now have to find a new place to park and play.

2. Xander Schauffele’s terrible run at the PLAYERS

Xander Schauffele made a strong impression in his first appearance in 2018, finishing tied for second. However, his performance at TPC Sawgrass since then hasn’t been as stellar, with three consecutive missed cuts. And he’s well aware of it, though it’s not something he’s thrilled to be reminded of.

“You’re actually the second person to remind me how bad my record is since my tied second finish,” Schauffele joked before the 2024 edition. “I didn’t realize I’ve been this bad here. You guys are really bringing it up. Reality check is always nice. My wife usually does that, but I guess we’ll leave it here in the media room.”

Putting the jokes aside, Schauffele has worked hard to move past the tough memory of the 2022 Players Championship. That year, with the wind fiercely blowing left to right at Sawgrass, he mishit a tee shot into the water on the island green, and his round quickly unraveled. Afterward, his caddie, Austin Kaiser, showed him a stat from social media that summed up just how disastrous things had gone. Schauffele would certainly prefer to erase that day from his memory

1. The biggest feud in the history of the PLAYERS

The long-standing rivalry between Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia reached a new level of drama in 2013 at TPC Sawgrass, and it’s a moment still remembered vividly more than a decade later. The tension began when the two were paired together in the third round. Woods, known for his unyielding concentration, allegedly pulled a club while Garcia was preparing to hit a shot. This seemingly minor act set off a chain of events that quickly escalated.

Garcia, visibly frustrated, blamed Woods for his subsequent mishit, adding fuel to the fire. The verbal sparring continued, with Garcia venting to anyone who would listen, while Woods remained largely unfazed. But the true drama was only just beginning. On the course, Garcia’s day took a turn for the worse. With a chance to contend for the win, he experienced a memorable collapse.

On the famed 17th island green, the Spaniard’s first tee shot splashed into the water. Instead of taking a drop, he chose to re-hit from the tee, much to the crowd’s amusement. His misfortune didn’t end there—on the very next hole, the 18th, he found the water again. Meanwhile, Woods cruised to victory, earning his fourth win of the year on a course that had historically been a struggle for him. But the real controversy emerged weeks later at a European Tour awards dinner. Garcia made a racially charged joke about dining with Woods, using a fried chicken reference that sparked widespread outrage.

Following the backlash, Garcia issued an apology, but Woods refused to accept it, deepening their rivalry. The comments sparked massive criticism, with figures like Jack Nicklaus calling the situation “stupid.” Even Fuzzy Zoeller, who had made his controversial remarks about Woods years earlier, weighed in, calling his comment a “joke gone bad.” Each year, as the fifth major rolls around, the memory of the infamous clash still lingers, reminding us just how intense the competition can get between two elite players.

What’s your favorite or most controversial moment from the Players Championship? Share your thoughts in the comments below!