PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Despite all the conjecture over the last month, The Players Championship is not a designated “major,” even if its winners have certainly looked the part of major champions. Since moving the tournament from May to March, a who’s who of champions have stepped into the winner’s circle and raised the golden trophy awarded to the champion of the PGA Tour’s flagship event.
The last six winners have each ranked inside the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings. They were also ranked inside the top eight in Data Golf’s rankings; half were positioned inside the top three at the time of their victories.
Scottie Scheffler became the first player to win in back-to-back years in 2023-24. Rory McIlroy added a Players Championship trophy to his mantle for the first time in 2019, his second coming six years later in 2025. In between, two-time major champion Justin Thomas conquered the devilish Pete Dye design with Cameron Smith adding a win during a career year in which he won three times, including at The Open.
So, that should narrow down the list of potential winners, right? Well, yes and no. An elite skill set is required around TPC Sawgrass as shots need to be shaped both ways, and adversity will need to be overcome when it eventually strikes. That screams top 10 player in the world as a winner, but eyebrows start to raise when looking at some of those same players’ form.
Some big names have it, others are looking for it, and even a player like McIlroy is just hoping to make it through the week as he defends his title without the luxury of a practice round due to a lingering back injury. All of this combined could give way to a surprise winner … or an obvious one staring all of us right in the face.
Nine players who can win 2026 Players Championship
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
Who will win the 2026 Players Championship, and which longshots will stun the golfing world? Visit SportsLine now to see the projected leaderboard, all from the model that’s nailed 16 golf majors heading into the weekend, and find out.