Resolution criteria

The winner will be determined by the player with the lowest total score after 72 holes at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida from March 12–15, 2026. If there is a tie after 72 holes, a playoff will be played under PGA Tour rules using an aggregate-score format over holes 16, 17, and 18, with the player posting the lowest score winning. If still tied after those three holes, players will compete hole-by-hole in sudden death until a winner is determined. Resolution can be verified via the official PGA Tour leaderboard at https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/2026/the-players-championship.

Background

The Players Championship is often regarded as golf's unofficial fifth major. The last time someone not named Rory McIlroy or Scottie Scheffler won the Players was in 2022. McIlroy is the defending champion after defeating J.J. Spaun in a playoff last March, while Scheffler won in 2023 and 2024. The winner will earn $4.5 million from the $25 million purse.

Considerations

The field is cut after 36 holes to the low 65 players and ties. Players who miss the cut cannot win the tournament, so some listed candidates may be eliminated after Friday's second round.

This description was generated by AI.