The Players Championship is golf’s most prestigious non-major event, often called the “fifth major” due to its elite 144-player field and $25 million purse.
Held annually in March at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, the tournament has crowned champions since Jack Nicklaus won the inaugural event in 1974.
Over 51 years, the Players Championship has grown from a $250,000 purse with a $50,000 winner’s share to $25 million total with $4.5 million going to the champion.
This comprehensive guide covers all Players Championship winners from 1974 through 2025, including record-holders, multiple champions, and how this prestigious tournament has evolved into golf’s premier PGA Tour event.
The Players Championship Winners: Complete Year-by-Year Table
| Year | Winner | Score | To Par | Prize Money | Runner-Up |
| 2025 | Rory McIlroy | 276 | -12 | $4,500,000 | J.J. Spaun (playoff) |
| 2024 | Scottie Scheffler | 268 | -20 | $4,500,000 | Wyndham Clark |
| 2023 | Scottie Scheffler | 270 | -18 | $4,500,000 | Brian Harman |
| 2022 | Cameron Smith | 272 | -16 | $3,600,000 | Anirban Lahiri |
| 2021 | Justin Thomas | 272 | -16 | $3,600,000 | Davis Riley |
| 2020 | Cancelled | N/A | N/A | N/A | (COVID-19) |
| 2019 | Rory McIlroy | 272 | -16 | $3,600,000 | Tony Finau |
| 2018 | Rory McIlroy | 271 | -17 | $3,600,000 | Jim Furyk |
| 2017 | Kim Si-woo | 275 | -13 | $3,600,000 | Lee Westwood |
| 2016 | Jason Day | 276 | -12 | $3,600,000 | Rory McIlroy |
| 2015 | Rickie Fowler | 276 | -12 | $2,250,000 | Kevin Kisner (playoff) |
| 2014 | Martin Kaymer | 271 | -17 | $2,250,000 | David Lingmerth |
| 2013 | Tiger Woods | 276 | -12 | $2,250,000 | Julio Iglesias |
| 2012 | Matt Kuchar | 275 | -13 | $2,250,000 | Michael Sim |
| 2011 | K.J. Choi | 272 | -16 | $2,250,000 | David Toms (playoff) |
| 2010 | Tim Clark | 274 | -14 | $2,250,000 | Padraig Harrington |
| 2009 | Henrik Stenson | 277 | -11 | $1,800,000 | Graeme McDowell |
| 2008 | Sergio Garcia | 280 | -8 | $1,800,000 | Paul Goydos (playoff) |
| 2007 | Phil Mickelson | 269 | -19 | $1,800,000 | Vijay Singh |
| 2006 | Adam Scott | 271 | -17 | $1,800,000 | Retief Goosen |
| 2005 | Fred Funk | 278 | -10 | $1,710,000 | Luke Donald |
| 2004 | Craig Perks | 280 | -8 | $1,710,000 | Chris DiMarco |
| 2003 | Davis Love III | 274 | -14 | $1,620,000 | Paul Azinger |
| 2002 | Craig Stadler | 280 | -8 | $1,620,000 | Jerry Pate |
| 2001 | Tiger Woods | 273 | -15 | $1,440,000 | Len Mattiace |
| 2000 | Hal Sutton | 274 | -14 | $1,080,000 | Phil Mickelson |
| 1999 | David Duval | 274 | -14 | $900,000 | Scott Gump |
| 1998 | Fred Couples | 276 | -12 | $900,000 | Steve Stricker |
| 1997 | Steve Elkington | 272 | -16 | $801,000 | Scott Hoch |
| 1996 | Fred Couples | 277 | -11 | $900,000 | Colin Montgomerie |
| 1995 | Lee Janzen | 283 | -5 | $900,000 | Nick Price |
| 1994 | Greg Norman | 264 | -24 | $900,000 | Fuzzy Zoeller |
| 1993 | Nick Price | 272 | -16 | $720,000 | Steve Elkington |
| 1992 | Davis Love III | 275 | -13 | $630,000 | Mark Calcavecchia |
| 1991 | Steve Elkington | 274 | -14 | $540,000 | Mark Calcavecchia |
| 1990 | Mark McCumber | 273 | -15 | $540,000 | Mike Souchak |
| 1989 | Tom Kite | 278 | -10 | $450,000 | Payne Stewart |
| 1988 | Mike Cowan | 271 | -17 | $360,000 | Steve Jones |
| 1987 | Sandy Lyle | 281 | -7 | $360,000 | Jeff Sluman (playoff) |
| 1986 | John Mahaffey | 275 | -13 | $360,000 | Larry Mize |
| 1985 | Calvin Peete | 274 | -14 | $324,000 | Peter Jacobsen |
| 1984 | Fred Couples | 277 | -11 | $234,000 | Jim Colbert |
| 1983 | Hal Sutton | 285 | -3 | $234,000 | David Graham |
| 1982 | Jerry Pate | 280 | -8 | $180,000 | Jack Nicklaus |
| 1981 | Raymond Floyd | 285 | -3 | $135,000 | Curtis Strange (playoff) |
| 1980 | Lee Trevino | 278 | -10 | $126,000 | Jack Nicklaus |
| 1979 | Lanny Wadkins | 283 | -5 | $126,000 | Tom Watson |
| 1978 | Jack Nicklaus | 289 | +1 | $108,000 | Reb Foreman |
| 1977 | Mark Hayes | 289 | +1 | $100,000 | George Burns |
| 1976 | Jack Nicklaus | 269 | -19 | $100,000 | J.C. Snead |
| 1975 | Al Geiberger | 268 | -20 | $80,000 | Dave Stockton |
| 1974 | Jack Nicklaus | 284 | -4 | $50,000 | J.C. Snead |
Most Players Championship Wins: Record Holders
Jack Nicklaus remains the all-time record holder with three Players Championship titles. Nicklaus won in 1974 (inaugural), 1976, and 1978, establishing a standard that stood for 46 years until Scottie Scheffler’s back-to-back wins in 2023-2024.
Seven other players have claimed two titles each, making them exclusive members of golf’s most prestigious club. Scheffler’s back-to-back defense represents golf history.
Multiple Winners by Count
- Jack Nicklaus: 3 wins (1974, 1976, 1978)
- 2-time winners: Fred Couples (1984, 1996), Steve Elkington (1991, 1997), Hal Sutton (1983, 2000), Davis Love III (1992, 2003), Tiger Woods (2001, 2013), Scottie Scheffler (2023, 2024), Rory McIlroy (2019, 2025)
Before Scheffler’s 2024 victory, no player had successfully defended their Players Championship title in the tournament’s 50-year history.
This achievement elevates Scheffler among the greatest champions in tournament history.
Scoring & Victory Records: Breaking the Course
Greg Norman holds the scoring record at 24-under par, set during his dominant 1994 victory. His 264 total remains unmatched after three decades of elite competition at TPC Sawgrass.
The largest margin of victory belongs to Steve Elkington, who won by 7 strokes in 1997. Most victories come by single strokes, reflecting how demanding the Stadium Course plays.
In 2024, Scottie Scheffler shot a final-round 64 to win by just one stroke at 20-under 268. Recent scoring has tightened dramatically as PGA Tour players have improved their abilities across all skill categories.
Prize Money Evolution: From $50,000 to $4.5 Million
The Players Championship prize purse has grown dramatically since 1974. When Jack Nicklaus won the inaugural event, the total purse was only $250,000 with the champion receiving $50,000.
By the 1990s, purse growth accelerated significantly across professional golf. In 2022, the prize pool jumped to $20 million with the winner’s share at $3.6 million, then increased to $25 million total in 2023.
This makes The Players Championship the most valuable PGA Tour event today.
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Prize Money Growth Timeline
| Era | Year | Winner’s Share | Total Purse |
| Inaugural | 1974 | $50,000 | $250,000 |
| Early Period | 1980 | $126,000 | $700,000 |
| Growth Phase | 1990 | $405,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Modern Era | 2000 | $1,080,000 | $5,400,000 |
| Premium Status | 2010 | $2,250,000 | $12,500,000 |
| Current | 2025 | $4,500,000 | $25,000,000 |
The 90-fold increase in prize money reflects the tournament’s rising prestige within professional golf. Modern champions earn substantially more than what Nicklaus received for winning the inaugural event decades ago.
According to financial analysis of professional golf prize pools, prize money growth has accelerated faster at The Players Championship than any other PGA Tour event.
Recent Champions: 2025, 2024, and 2023 Winners
Rory McIlroy won the 2025 Players Championship, claiming his second title after a playoff victory over J.J. Spaun. The playoff was held on Monday after weather delays forced play to extend beyond the scheduled Sunday conclusion.
McIlroy’s second Players Championship victory comes six years after his 2019 win. This places him among golf’s most accomplished Players Championship competitors with two titles.
Scottie Scheffler won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024, becoming the first player to successfully defend the Players Championship. His 2024 victory margin was just one stroke at 20-under par, demonstrating exceptional consistency.
Cameron Smith won in 2022, taking home $3.6 million from the purse. Smith’s victory came the same year he won the Open Championship, showing his dominance across major tournaments worldwide.
Legendary Moments: Iconic Players Championship Stories
Tiger Woods created one of golf’s most memorable moments at the 2001 Players Championship. Woods hit his famous putt at the island-green 17th hole, a shot NBC commentator Gary Koch called “Better Than Most,” which became iconic in golf history.
Kim Si-woo became the tournament’s youngest champion in 2017 at just 21 years old. His victory demonstrated that elite talent transcends age at golf’s most demanding courses and competitions.
Phil Mickelson won in 2007 with a dominant performance at TPC Sawgrass. Fred Couples claimed two titles separated by 14 years, showing remarkable consistency across different eras of professional golf and course conditions.
Playoff History: The Drama of Extra Holes
The Players Championship changed its playoff format in 2014. Before 2014, the tournament used sudden-death playoffs.
Beginning in 2014, it switched to a three-hole aggregate format using holes 16, 17, and 18. If players remain tied after three holes, the playoff continues into sudden-death.
The 2025 playoff between Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun marked the first playoff since 2015. McIlroy prevailed after Spaun’s tee shot found water at the island green 17th hole.
The 2015 playoff between Rickie Fowler and Kevin Kisner required sudden-death after both players finished the three-hole aggregate at 1-under par. Fowler made a birdie on the fourth hole to claim victory and secure his place in Players Championship history.
Venue History: From Atlanta to TPC Sawgrass
The Players Championship moved locations multiple times before finding its permanent home. The tournament began at Atlanta Country Club in 1974, moved to Colonial Country Club in Texas in 1975, then to Inverrary Country Club in Florida in 1976.
From 1977 to 1981, The Players Championship was held at Sawgrass Country Club in Florida, before moving to TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course in 1982, where it remains today.
The Stadium Course, designed by Pete Dye, features the iconic par-3 hole 17 island green that defines tournament history.
For insights on how course design impacts championship golf, golf course architecture and its influence on PGA Tour events provides detailed analysis.
FAQs
What is The Players Championship?
The Players Championship is the PGA Tour’s flagship annual event, held in March at TPC Sawgrass with a 144-player field competing for $25 million in prize money.
Who won The Players Championship most?
Jack Nicklaus has three Players Championship wins (1974, 1976, 1978), with seven other players claiming two titles each.
Has anyone won back-to-back Players Championships?
Scottie Scheffler became the first player to win back-to-back titles in 2024, ending a 50-year drought.
What are current Players Championship winnings?
The 2025 winner receives $4.5 million from a total purse of $25 million.
Where is The Players Championship held?
TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, since 1982.
Which Players Championship winner shot the best score?
Greg Norman holds the scoring record at 264 (24-under par) set in 1994.
