There are few voices in the golf world that carry as much weight as Rory McIlroy’s, so when he gives his opinion on whatever the latest hot topic is among golf fans and pundits, people tend to listen. Upon arriving stateside for the 2026 PGA Tour’s first event at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, McIlroy was asked about the latest discussions surrounding The Players Championship and where it fits in the pecking order of golf’s biggest events.
The Players has established itself as the premier event on the PGA Tour schedule outside of major championships, and some believe the event should be considered a “major” given the quality of the field and the tough challenge posed by TPC Sawgrass’ Stadium Course.
McIlroy has long been a strong supporter of The Players as an elite event on the calendar, even going so far as to say that he believes The Players has a better identity than the PGA Championship, but disagrees with the idea that it should be elevated alongside the Masters, U.S. Open and British Open Championship.
“The Players is one of the best golf tournaments in the world. No one can argue with that. It’s great from a player perspective. It’s great from a fan experience on the ground. It’s a great golf course, location and venue.”
“But I’m not. Again, I’m a traditionalist and a historian of the game. We’ve had four major championships. If you want to know what five major championships is like, look at the women’s game. I don’t know how well that worked out for them. But it’s The Players. It doesn’t have to be anything else.”
“I would say it has more of an identity than the PGA Championship at this point. So from an identity standpoint, The Players has established that. … Being classified as a major makes it bigger or smaller (I don’t think it matters). I think all the other champions are as well, but I’m still very proud of winning that tournament twice. It stands on its own without a label.”
McIlroy is a two-time The Players champion, a five-time major champion and, as of last April, a career Grand Slam winner, so his perspective on the issue is highly valued.
McIlroy’s statement that The Players has a stronger identity than the PGA Championship has been the source of much of the “major” discussion. To that end, McIlroy suggested that the PGA return to its schedule and make it once again the last major on the calendar.
Asked what kind of identity the tournament should have, McIlroy said: “I think it’s the last shot of glory.” “I think we need to go back in August.”
In 2019, the PGA Championship was moved from August to May, and The Players was also moved from May to March. The PGA is often considered the fourth major, primarily because it lacks the same unquestionable identity as the other three.
The Masters is held each year at the iconic Augusta National Golf Club to kick off the major season. The U.S. Open stakes its reputation on being golf’s toughest test, for better or worse, and the British Open is the oldest championship to shine a light on links golf.
The PGA will refute McIlroy’s claims, arguing that its identity is “golf’s strongest field,” inviting the world’s top 100 players without amateurs. McIlroy believes it would have been better to mark the players’ last chance to win a major championship each season.
As for The Players, adding the “major” label could threaten what has made this tournament so beloved. It stands out as the PGA Tour’s flagship event and will garner attention early in March. If it becomes a major, the Masters will likely insist on moving The Players to May (the PGA is in August) to keep the green jacket in first place.
Still, the players feel Like a major, especially when it’s at its best. It also has the equivalent of one wallet without adding any pressure. If it becomes a “major,” it will face challenges similar to the PGA, including an annual debate about whether an event is worth it based on how exciting it is to play.
The truth is, The Players doesn’t need a label to carry its own weight. In fact, not being attached to a major can be an advantage.
