Paul McGinley doesn’t want The Players to be the fifth major but names the tournament that should be

There was a lot of talk heading into the Players Championship concerning the debate whether or not it should become golf’s fifth major championship.

The Players is an exceptionally exciting event to watch due to the fact that there are so many holes at TPC Sawgrass which are layered with jeopardy.

Numerous golfers have found that out the hard way at the event throughout the years.

Cam Young emerged victorious at the event this year, after making a birdie on 17 and parring the final hole to beat Matt Fitzpatrick by one shot.

It seemed like Ludvig Aberg was going to run away with The Players Championship midway through the final round before TPC Sawgrass bit back and Swede posted a score of 40 on the back nine.

Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images

Young was more than deserving of his Players win, after he grew stronger as the pressure grew.

There is no doubt that playing the back nine at TPC Sawgrass induces more stress on the players than most other golf courses.

So, with that in mind, should The Players become golf’s fifth major? Paul McGinley doesn’t believe so…

Paul McGinley doesn’t want The Players to be the fifth major

All of the talk about The Players potentially becoming the fifth major began back in February.

The PGA Tour released a promotional video ahead of the tournament last month, and they caught everyone’s attention by ending the commercial with the tag-line: “March is going to be major”.

Brandel Chamblee even suggested that The Players is a more prestigious event than the four current major championships, as reported by The Golfing Gazette.

That suggestion was met with skepticism by many.

However, there are merits to the argument that The Players should be given elevated status in the game.

There aren’t many tournaments more exciting to watch than The Players Championship and it has historically had the strongest field in golf, up until the inception of LIV Golf in 2022.

Some of the greatest golfers to have ever graced the game have won at TPC Sawgrass throughout the years, including the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Greg Norman, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler.

The layout and condition of TPC Sawgrass is easily good enough for The Players to be classed as a major as well.

However, if The Players Championship was to become a major, the PGA Tour would have to invite at least the 10 best golfers from LIV every year.

The Olympics gets Paul McGinley’s fifth major vote

Paul McGinley doesn’t believe that The Players should gain elevated status, though. Instead, the Irishman would like to see The Olympics become golf’s fifth major.

McGinley took to his official X account and posted a message about his thoughts.

“Enjoyed the last day at what some consider should be a 5th Major, the Players,“ McGinley said.

“Although a terrific event I’m not aligned on that thought yet.

“I do feel if any event should be considered a 5th Major, the Olympics should be the event considered.“

McGinley’s suggestion is an intriguing one. However, there is one big problem with the Irishman’s idea.

The Olympics comes around only once every four years. If golf’s governing bodies are to introduce a fifth major championship, it would surely need to be a tournament that is played every year.

In my opinion, though, there shouldn’t be any new majors added to the schedule. The fact that there are only four every year is the reason why they are so special.

If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it!

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