"I mean, it is" - PGA Tour star offers opinion on latest debate in the golf world

PGA Tour pro Russell Henley has become the latest golfer to have his say on whether or not the annual Players Championship is a major. 

The latest debate began after tournament organisers of the PGA Tour's flagship event released a teaser trailer promoting the 2026 edition of the tournament with the tagline, "March is going to be major". 

It prompted controversial and opinionated Golf Channel analyst, Brandel Chamblee, to claim not only did he believe it is a major but in fact the best one. 

Chamblee's thoughts even provoked a reaction from Phil Mickelson on X, whilst Rory McIlroy declared that the tournament "doesn't need to be a fifth major". 

Instead, McIlroy suggested the PGA Championship - often viewed as the runt of the litter by golf fans - should be moved back to August.

Henley told reporters before this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational: "It's our home tournament. 

"I don't know the statistics on like what they say, like best field in golf or whatever, but, I mean, it is. And the history with that tournament?

"I've always considered that a major in my mind. It's just such a tricky golf course and it rewards great shots, typically. It visually is very intimidating.

"I feel like if you have a good week there you've done a lot of really good things. You look at the past champions and nobody is really, it hasn’t really favoured any one player.

"People typically don't win it back-to-back, unless you're Scottie. 

"But it's, yeah, it's a tournament I always look forward to, I love the challenge of it, and it's one of, yeah, I consider it a major."

What did Rory McIlroy say?

McIlroy told reporters in February that the Players Championship has "more of an identity" than the PGA Championship. 

But the Northern Irishman doesn't believe it should be elevated to the fifth men's major. 

McIlroy has won the Players Championship twice in his career. His most recent came last March whereby he defeated American JJ Spaun in a play-off.

"Look, I'd love to have seven majors instead of five, that sounds great," McIlroy said referencing his two previous Players Championships to go alongside his five majors.

"I think the Players is one of the best golf tournaments in the world. I don't think anyone disputes that or argues that. I think from a player perspective it's amazing. 

"I think from an on-site fan experience it's amazing. It's an amazing golf course, location, venue.

"But I'm a traditionalist, I'm a historian of the game. We have four major championships. If you want to see what five major championships looks like, look at the women's game. I don't know how well that's went for them."

McIlroy called for the PGA Championship to be moved back to August instead of being played in May. 

"The Players, it doesn't need to be anything else. I would say it's got more of an identity than the PGA Championship does at the minute," said. 

"So from an identity standpoint, I think the Players has got it nailed. 

"It stands on its own without the label, I guess."