Executive director of Players Championship addresses tedious golf debate

The executive director of The Players Championship says he's confident the PGA Tour's flagship event will one day become a major. 

The Players, held annually in March at TPC Sawgrass, has long been known as the unofficial fifth men's major. 

But whether or not it should be elevated to major status became the chatter of the golf world last week. 

The tournament began a promotional campaign ahead of this year's edition with the tagline "March is going to be major". 

It prompted controversial Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee to claim that not only is The Players already a major, but the best one. 

Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson, who joined LIV Golf in 2022, were among those to disagree with Chamblee.

Lee Smith, the executive director of The Players, told reporters during a media day on 12 February the advertisement was absolutely designed to provoke a reaction.

"I hope you noticed our use of the word that we've somewhat shied away from over the last ten years," he said.

"This is a signal of the confidence, momentum, and offense that is coming out of our building these days. 

"We're confident about the qualifications of The Players Championship. We wanted to start a conversation."

Rory McIlroy disagrees

Two-time Players winner Rory McIlroy was asked for his opinion ahead of the first signature event of the PGA Tour season. 

McIlroy, 36, told reporters before the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am that The Players "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," he said. 

"So from an identity standpoint, I think the Players has got it nailed. It stands on its own without the label, I guess."

McIlroy last won The Players in 2024, one month before sliding into the history books with his career-defining Masters triumph. 

"Look, I'd love to have seven majors instead of five, that sounds great," McIlroy said.

"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 also called for the PGA Championship to be moved back to August. 

The Northern Irishman explained The Players has more an identity at the moment than the PGA Championship. 

The major has been staged in May since 2019. 

What did Brandel Chamblee say?

Chamblee claimed during the telecast of the WM Phoenix Open that The Players undeniably has the strongest field. 

"It is the deepest field in golf," he said. "By virtue of the fact that in its 50-year history, only one player has managed to successfully defend it, I would argue that it is the hardest major championship to win."

Several pointed out this could be the case since Cameron Smith was prevented from attempting to defend his title in 2023 after he moved to LIV Golf and was subsequently banned by the PGA Tour. 

This year's Players will also be without Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm. 

Watch Chamblee's comments here: