A Look at the Last 5 Years at The Players Championship
Established in 1974, The Players Championship is one of the biggest golf tournaments in the world. While not considered one of the four major championships, the PGA Tour-owned event brings together the top 50 players in the world and is often referred to as the "fifth major." Jack Nicklaus won the inaugural event at the Atlanta Country Club in Marietta, Georgia. Since 1982, The Players Championship has been held at the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Here's a look at the last five winners at The Players Championship.
McIlroy Wins a Second Title (2025)
One of the greatest players of his generation, Rory McIlroy won his second Players and 28th PGA Tour title on Monday, March 17. McIlroy finished with a four round score of 12-under 276, tying with J.J. Spaun. The three-hole playoff was pushed to Monday due to poor weather, and McIlroy wasted little time in storming ahead of the underdog Spaun. He hit a perfect drive on the par-5 first hole and took a one-stroke lead after recording a birdie. On the second hole, the par-3 No. 17, Spaun hit his tee shot into the water and carded a triple bogey, making the final hole nothing more than a formality.
“I was disappointed that I needed to come back this morning, but … I couldn't let that mind frame linger for too long," McIlroy explained to the press. "I had to reset and try to get a good night's sleep and come out this morning committed to get the job done.”
Spaun, who has just one career victory and never broke 70 at TPC Sawgrass before this year's event, just missed a 30-foot birdie putt to win the tournament on the 72nd hole. McIlroy, meanwhile, had a three-stroke lead at one point late in Sunday's round and had to make a 4-foot par on his final hole to make the playoff. He won the $4.5 million first-place prize, while Spaun settled for $2.725 million. Akshay Bhatia, Lucas Glover, and Tom Hoge finished tied for third at 10-under par.
Scheffler Repeats as Champion (2024)
Scottie Scheffler had one of the best seasons on the PGA Tour in recent memory in 2024 and made history at TPC Sawgrass, becoming the first player to win The Players Championship in consecutive years. He claimed the $4.5 million winner's purse with 20-under 268, finishing one shot ahead of Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, and Xander Schauffele. Scheffler trailed leader Schauffele by as many as nine strokes at one point in the third round, but shot a final round 64, while Schauffele carded a 70. All three T2 finishers missed their birdie putts to force a playoff.
Scheffler's 64 on Sunday tied Davis Love III (2003) and Fred Couples (1996) as the lowest score for a Players champion in the final round. It was his second victory in as many starts and second title in what was an unforgettable season. Scheffler also won the Masters Tournament, RBC Heritage, Memorial Tournament, Travelers Championship, Tour Championship, and the Olympic gold medal. He earned a record $29.23 million in prize money, not including $25 million for winning the FedExCup and $8 million bonus for finishing first in the Comcast Business top 10.
Scheffler Wins in Dominant Fashion (2023)
Unlike the two most recent Players, there was no question as to who was going to win in 2023. After a decent start on Thursday with a 4-under 68 that put him T5, Scheffler moved up to second place on Friday, and was in first place after the third round, holding a two-stroke lead over Min Woo Lee. He shot a final round 69, scoring a five-stroke victory over second-place Tyrell Hatton. Hoge and Viktor Hovland finished T3 at 10-under.
Scheffler shot all four rounds in the 60s and had the largest margin of victory at TPC Sawgrass since Stephen Ames won by six strokes in 2006.
Cam Smith Becomes Sixth Aussie to Win (2022)
Cam Smith was outside of the top five after each of the first three rounds in 2022, but he shot a final round 66 to finish 13-under par, one stroke ahead of second-place finisher Anirban Lahiri. He was the sixth Australian to win The Players, joining Jason Day (2016), Adam Scott (2004), Craig Perks (2002), Steve Elkington (1997 and 1991), and Greg Norman (1994).
The following year, Smith signed with LIV Golf and became the first defending champion since 2014 to not participate in The Players Championship.
Justin Thomas Wins by One Stroke (2021)
With a 14-under 274, Justin Thomas won the 2021 Players by one stroke over runner-up Lee Westwood. Thomas' victory, one month after the death of his grandfather Paul, was buoyed by an impressive 5-under through holes 9-12, including an eagle on the par-5 No. 11. Thomas had a 71 in each of his first two rounds and was T3 after shooting 64 in the third round. He shot 68 in the final round, while Westwood, who was in first by two strokes after the third round, shot 72.