What is a fifth? It’s a bottle of your favorite adult beverage, it’s the golfer that joins your foursome, it’s the fifth amendment to the constitution, it’s a street in every major city, it’s so many items and measuring stick that we don’t have the space to count out all the definitions of a fifth. The Players Championship has been a point of debate over the definition of a fifth. Is the Players the fifth major?
There are four clearly defined majors;
The Masters – kicks off the golf year at Augusta National Golf Club
The US Open – celebrates Father’s Day at historic and challenging golf courses from coast to coast.
The Open – the grandfather of them all that needs no defining description. Played at a rotation of famous English and Scottish golf courses.
The PGA Championship – dedicated to the club pro’s across the world and increasing is stature each year. 2019 will see the PGA Championship move to May to create more excitement and get away from the challenge of football creates for fans and viewers.
But what about a fifth? The Players Championship was created by the PGA Tour to recognize the best player on the tour on a course built specifically to host the tournament. Let’s run down a list of qualifications to be a fifth major;
The field – no question the Players is the best field of the year.
The course – designed to host the tournament the demand for shot making is at the top and each year the course is in perfect condition.
Drama – the final 3 holes of the Stadium course provide four days of adrenalin pumping action as golfers take aim at a birdie on 16, landing on the 17th green and surviving the challenging 18th.
History – past winners include Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples, Rickie Fowler, Sergio, Davis Love III, Adam Scott, Steve Elkington and list of who’s who goes on and on.
There is no debate – please welcome the Fifth Major – The Player’s Championship! Play on!