For the sixth consecutive year, the Players Championship was won by a player ranked in the world’s top 10.
This PGA Tour’s flagship tournament once again concluded dramatically, with Rory McIlroy defeating J.J. Spaun in a three-hole playoff on Monday. This event has set the stage for an exciting remainder of the golf season, with the Masters and other major championships approaching.
Here are four key insights from this year’s Players Championship.
McIlroy’s Strong Start Is Promising for Augusta and Beyond
We’ve witnessed early-season success from McIlroy before, only to see it not translate to the Masters. However, this season’s start is unprecedented. For the first time in his career, McIlroy has secured two Tour victories before May. This also marks the first time he has multiple global wins in the four months leading up to the Masters.
What does this signify? Historically, it might not guarantee anything. McIlroy’s performance at Augusta, even with positive momentum, hasn’t resulted in a win or consistent high finishes. His recent Masters appearances include a missed cut, a second-place finish, another missed cut, and a tie for 22nd. There’s no clear pattern.
Yet, over the past three seasons, McIlroy has been remarkably consistent in major championships, achieving eight top-10 finishes in his last 12 starts. His ability to consistently contend at the highest level is unmatched. It’s puzzling why he hasn’t won a major recently. This remains the central question.
McIlroy is arguably playing some of the best golf of his career and certainly among the best globally. The confidence gained from two comeback wins in significant tournaments cannot be overstated. While it’s tempting to say this momentum is what he needed before his 11th year without a major, it might just add more pressure. He has experienced three heartbreaking major losses in the past three years.
‘People say pressure is a privilege, and it truly is,’ McIlroy said after his Players victory. ‘You want to feel that pressure on the course. That’s why I dedicate my time to practice and refine my skills, to put myself in these situations and test my capabilities.’
Akshay Bhatia Is Nearing His Breakthrough
At just 23, Bhatia has steadily progressed through professional golf, turning pro at 19 instead of attending college, and is now playing at an elite level. Already a two-time PGA Tour winner (2024 Valero Open and 2023 Barracuda Championship), his performance at the Players, finishing just two strokes behind McIlroy, served as a reminder that he still has room to grow.
Entering Saturday tied for the lead, Bhatia’s long putter, which has improved his putting, faltered. A missed short birdie putt on the second hole set the tone for a day where he lost strokes on the greens and bogeyed the 18th after another short miss. On Sunday, he missed three birdie putts within 12 feet on the final four holes, which could have forced a playoff with McIlroy and Spaun.
‘I hit many good putts, and it’s a different feeling when you’re in contention more often. You learn about your tendencies,’ Bhatia noted. Despite his disappointment, he recognized the significance of the week. ‘Being 23 and competing with Rory McIlroy, whom I’ve admired for years, is pretty amazing.’
Last season marked Bhatia’s first time playing in all four majors. He missed two cuts, with his best finish being T-16 at the U.S. Open. It’s still early in his career, making his current success impressive, and his potential even more exciting.
Data Golf indicates Bhatia is gaining strokes in all areas except his short game this season. While no single aspect of his game is yet truly elite, improving his putting and short game could see him contending for a major title soon, possibly even next month.
Could Frustration Motivate Scottie Scheffler?
In contrast to McIlroy’s victories and growing confidence, the world No. 1, Scottie Scheffler, is experiencing a less familiar emotion: frustration. Throughout the Players Championship, Scheffler appeared visibly frustrated at times, showing disbelief, throwing clubs in anger, and attempting to laugh off difficult moments.
His top-20 finish still reflects his talent and skill. Scheffler had a slow start to the year due to missing events because of a hand injury. This likely hindered his rhythm, as has his ball-striking, which isn’t as dominant as last season, at least not yet.
Scheffler ranks seventh in strokes gained: approach (+1.06), compared to leading the category last season (+1.5). While he’s expected to regain his top form with more play, his performance around and on the greens is more concerning. Last season, Scheffler was among the best in strokes gained: around the green and had slightly above-average putting.
This season, he has regressed in both areas, evident in missing more short putts and struggling with up-and-downs. Despite these concerns, Scheffler remains patient. For a typically composed and competitive player, channeling frustration into motivation might be beneficial.
‘I’m leaving this week feeling close. I feel I need to work on some things at home, but I’m very close,’ Scheffler said. ‘I’m competitive and felt I could have played better this week. Finishing 4 under par, I felt my golf was better than that. But overall, I don’t feel far off.’
The Players’ Unique Identity
While there’s no official reason to name the Players Championship golf’s fifth major, after this week at Ponte Vedra, there’s also no reason for it to aspire to be.
Whether the Players has embraced its own identity or simply leaned into being a premier tournament at a top course, it has crafted a distinct and improving identity.
It starts with the course, a remarkable test for elite golfers. TPC Sawgrass demands tee-shot accuracy and rewards creativity when fairways are missed, making it as compelling as any major venue. McIlroy, winning despite hitting only 28 fairways, exemplified this.
Despite a potentially diluted field due to LIV Golf, it still attracts top talent and has produced excellent winners and compelling matchups, like McIlroy versus Spaun.
The Players tastefully blends aspects of the Waste Management Open’s atmosphere (in a more controlled manner) with an elite course and top players, creating a marquee event. It has the energy of a major without the official title.
Some might see this as a drawback, but others view it as an advantage. Players consistently praise the Players Championship.
While a PGA Tour-PIF deal is pending, once it materializes and tours unite, the Players Championship is uniquely positioned to benefit more than any other event.
