THE PLAYERS Championship

THE PLAYERS Championship is not technically one of golf’s four major championships — The Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship — but it is treated with nearly as much respect as any of the big four, leading some to refer to the event as the PGA Tour’s “fifth major.”

This weekend, the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., hosts the 35th THE PLAYERS Championship. The newly renovated 7,220-yard Par-72 course has hosted the event every year since 1982. 

The best players in the world will compete for a $9 million total purse including a $1,620,000 winner’s share. Along with on-course competition, there will also be quite a bit of off-the-green charity, as THE PLAYERS has raised $28 million for local charities in Northeast Florida since 1977, including $2.8 million last year.

Jack Nicklaus won the inaugural THE PLAYERS Championship in 1974, when the event was called the Tournament Players Championship. In fact, the “Golden Bear” won three of the first five events in THE PLAYERS history, setting the major championship tone for years to come.

Of the 34 champs in THE PLAYERS history, 26 have been major championship winners. This year, the odds are in favor of that trend continuing, as 49 of the top 50 ranked players in the FedExCup points standings are in the field.

Phil Mickelson is the reigning champ at THE PLAYERS. The three-time major championship winner (2006 Masters, 2005 PGA and 2004 Masters) shot an 11-under 277 in a two-stroke come-from-behind victory over Sergio Garcia last year.

Mickelson will attempt to become the first back-to-back winner and the sixth multiple winner in THE PLAYERS Championship history — joining Davis Love III (2003, 1992), Hal Sutton (2000, 1983), Steve Elkington (1997, 1991), Fred Couples (1996, 1984) and Nicklaus (1978, 1976, 1974).

“(THE PLAYERS Stadium Course) is a course where probably not too many people expected me to win,” said Mickelson, on his official website.

“And I know that I had not played that well there in the past. I’ve always loved the course but I never had performed to my expectations. It excites me to go back there now. I have the same type of feeling for the course as I do when I get to Augusta.”

In 2007, the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass underwent a 14-month renovation that included a new 77,000 square-foot clubhouse, 2.6 million square feet of new grass, 53 million pounds of sand and 22 miles of underground piping.

But the more things change, the more they stay the same. The Stadium Course will always be known for its fan-friendly layout and, in particular, the island green of No. 17, which course designer Pete Dye credits to an idea from his wife, Alice. One of the most famous Par-3 holes in the world, No. 17 is symbolic of what THE PLAYERS is all about.

“Every sport has its great stadium,” said Tiger Woods. “This is ours.”

Unfortunately, Tiger will not be in the field this weekend, as he continues to rehabilitate following surgery on his left knee. But nearly every other big name in the sport will be competing — including defending champion Lefty along with Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., residents Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk and Fred Funk, who was the oldest champion in tournament history (48 years, 9 months, 14 days) when he slammed down his cap following a surprise win in 2005.

This year’s THE PLAYERS Championship finishes on Mother’s Day for the second straight year and just the second time in tournament history. The first 10,000 mothers arriving will receive commemorative pins as a free gift from tournament sponsors.

Expect a close finish, but not necessarily a playoff. Only twice in 34 years has THE PLAYERS Championship needed additional holes — the fewest of tournaments 10 years or older.

THE PLAYERS Championship at the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass will be televised by GOLF Channel on Thursday and Friday (1:00-7:00 p.m. ET) before NBC takes over the weekend coverage (2:00-7:00 p.m. ET).