Russell Henley appears to agree with the PGA Tour’s view that The Players Championship is worthy of major championship status.
The PGA Tour caused quite a stir last month when they unveiled a trailer for The Players Championship that included the tagline: ‘March is going to be major’.
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Unsurprisingly, the slogan prompted a lot of debate. Brandel Chamblee bizarrely put The Players ahead of the four majors. Phil Mickelson was among those who disputed Chamblee’s claim.
But it would appear that Russell Henley would be more inclined to agree with Chamblee.
Russell Henley responds when asked if he views The Players Championship as a major
Speaking as he prepares to defend the Arnold Palmer Invitational title this week, Henley explained why he would not hesitate to put the event at TPC Sawgrass on the same level as the four biggest tournaments of the year.
“I think it’s a major. It’s our home tournament. I don’t know the statistics on what they say, like best field in golf or whatever, but, I mean, it is. And the history with that tournament? I mean, I’ve always considered that a major in my mind,” he said.
“It’s just such a tricky golf course and it rewards great shots, typically. It visually is very intimidating. I feel like if you have a good week there you’ve done a lot of really good things.
“You look at the past champions and nobody is really, it hasn’t really favored any one player. People typically don’t win it back-to-back, unless you’re Scottie. But yeah, it’s a tournament I always look forward to, I love the challenge of it, and, yeah, I consider it a major.”
An impressive number of major champions have won at TPC Sawgrass since 2013
You could certainly make the case that The Players Championship ticks enough boxes to be considered a major.
TPC Sawgrass is a phenomenal venue with a brilliant final few holes. And the list of recent winners definitely speaks to the idea that it is one of the hardest events to triumph at.
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Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have won the last three between them. Meanwhile, 10 of the last 12 events have been won by players who are now major champions.
Only Cam Smith in that run became a major champion for the first time after his victory at The Players Championship.
There is obviously a very valid argument to be made that any fifth major must be played outside of the United States.
But there will probably be plenty of golf fans who would be prepared to see The Players upgraded if it means that the PGA Championship travels around the globe