Remember when Jerry Pate celebrated his 1982 Players Championship win by pushing PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman and course architect Pete Dye into a lake? Well, that iconic moment happened at TPC Sawgrass. The venue is once again preparing to host golf’s “fifth major” from March 11-16.

Now, with Scottie Scheffler aiming for a third consecutive Players title, the stage is set for another dramatic chapter in tournament history.

The Stadium Course was built from a 415-acre tract of worthless Florida swampland. Beman acquired it for just $1 from landowners Jerome and Paul Fletcher in 1974. Next, construction crews excavated over 1.3 million cubic yards of muck. As a result, the area transformed into one of golf’s most recognizable venues. TPC Sawgrass stands as a monument to innovation. Commissioned by Beman and designed by Pete and Alice Dye, the course opened in 1980. It was the first true “stadium course” built specifically for spectator viewing. The designers created a challenging layout that doesn’t favor any particular playing style. Instead, it demands precision, creativity, and mental toughness from all competitors. Consequently, champions have ranged from power hitters like Rory McIlroy, who won the title in 2019, to tactical players like Fred Funk.

The par-72, 7,275-yard layout presents formidable challenges throughout, which led to it earning the title of golf’s “fifth major.” However, it’s the infamous 17th hole, with its accidental “island green” born from a construction mishap when Alice Dye creatively solved an excavation error, that defines the course experience. This 137-yard par-3 with its island green often determines where tournaments are won or lost. The peninsula target requires a flawless mid-iron shot. In fact, during the 2023 tournament, 29 balls surrendered to the water in just the first round!

Additionally, the course has undergone strategic enhancements for 2025. The 18th hole now features expanded sightlines for spectators. Meanwhile, the premium Intracoastal Club between holes 12 and 13 offers fans a curated experience. These improvements highlight the PGA Tour’s commitment to balancing tradition with innovation.

While TPC Sawgrass has emerged as one of golf’s greatest tests, the event itself carries a revered history.

The Players Championship: A prestigious legacy grows stronger

The Players Championship has evolved dramatically since 1974. The then PGA Tour commissioner Joe Dey (Joseph Dey) envisioned a flagship event in the PGA Tour. Since then, it has grown into a cornerstone of professional golf. The inaugural tournament offered a $250,000 purse. In contrast, the 2025 edition boasts a staggering $25 million prize fund. The winner will take home $4.5 million.

Jack Nicklaus won the first Players Championship. He eventually became a three-time champion (1974, 1976, 1978). His record stood unchallenged until Scottie Scheffler made history with back-to-back wins. Now, Scheffler seeks to join Nicklaus as the only three-time winner. He’s also attempting to become the first player to win three consecutive titles.

The tournament’s early years were marked by frequent venue changes. After starting at Atlanta Country Club in 1974, it moved to Colonial Country Club (1975), then Inverrary Country Club (1976), before settling sometime at Sawgrass Country Club from 1977 to 1981. Finally, it found its permanent home at TPC Sawgrass in 1982. This nomadic beginning only makes its current status as golf’s “fifth major” more remarkable.

The 2025 field exemplifies the tournament’s reputation for depth. It includes 48 of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking. Headliners include Scheffler, McIlroy, and Xander Schauffele, who finished as runner-up in 2024.

Interestingly, Laurie Canter will make history as the first LIV Golf member to compete at The Players. This underscores the evolving dynamics of professional golf. Will this mark the beginning of a new era of cooperation between the tours? Only time will tell.