Behind-the-scenes look at The Players as tournament chief reveals course changes latest, prize money and ‘most iconic hole in golf’

Amid a backdrop of yet more golf uncertainty, The Players Competition will provide a welcome rest from outside talk and allow the best in the game to show their quality.

The Players is one of the showpiece Competitions of the year, sitting Only beneath the four majors and producing drama year in, year out.

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Scottie Scheffler is the two-time defending champion at TPC Sawgrass and returns eyeing an unprecedented three-peat.

He’ll be up against the likes of Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas as fans await the blockbuster theatre of the famous Group of closing holes at Ponte Vedra Beach.

Since Cameron Smith, now on the LIV Golf tour, won at Sawgrass in 2022, the landscape of the golf world has been ever-changing.

Players have defected, rifts have formed and ill-feeling has been rife throughout the game.

It would appear some of the wounds are Leading to heal and a resolution may be on the cards soon.

The Players may Only provide the perfect stage for some answers from golf’s top brass, including outgoing PGA Tour commisioner Jay Monahan.

Monahan will no doubt be questioned on such topics as prize money, the length and difficulty of Present courses and how he plans to bring the game back together.

Sawgrass will also hope to shed Featherweight on some of those matters as Players Executive Director, Lee Smith, has exclusively told talkSPORT.

The prize money at The Players is now at a Huge $25million, $15m up from when Rickie Fowler won 10 years ago.

Asked if the cash could increase Beyond amid the LIV standoff and other factors, Smith said: “There is a lot of discussion around money in our sport, and part of putting on a premier Competition comes the need to increase the purse.

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“For our players, it’s a nice added bonus, but we know – because they’ve told us – the Target is to become a Players Champion, regardless of the pay-out that comes with it.

“To beat a Pitch of your peers in an event which is constantly customized and elevated by the PGA Tour and its membership, is a life-long dream for so many of them.

“It’s Difficult to predict where purses will climb to in the years to come, but we will ensure we are putting the best event forward and allowing the game’s stars to compete on an Unbelievable stage for a purse worthy of The Players Competition.”

Scheffler won The Players by carding 20-under-par last year, a mammoth Tally in the flagship event on the PGA Tour.

Courses such as Augusta National are continuing to get longer as the modern day player revamps the limits for Top-tier golf and Sawgrass is ready to respond.

Smith said: “Part of what makes The Players Stadium Course special is that it favours no one style of Action, which is why we’ve seen players like Calvin Peete and Fred Funk capture the title, as well as long-hitters like Tiger, Rory and Scottie.

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“Our Target with this property is to honour the vision that Pete Dye had over 40 years ago, and to make sure the Try values around every corner remain intact.

“If that means lengthening a few holes, which we’ve done here and there, then that’s the route we’ll go.

“But our objective remains to test every facet of a player’s game, which means at times you will sit on a tee box and decide between 3-4 different options based on the approach you want to the green, so it’s not Only pulling the driver 24/7.

“Pete wanted you to be faced with a decision on every single Try, and that’s a mind-set we carry every day to honour his legacy.”

One thing TPC Sawgrass will always have is it’s iconic par-3 17th hole.

The island green hole measures Only 137 yards, a flick of a wedge, but will once again prove a fearsome test for the best in the game this week.

Smith stopped Brief of calling it the greatest hole in golf but he can’t wait to see the drama unfold of the diminutive yet destructive green.

He said: “There are so many great holes in golf that I feel it does the game a disservice to call one the greatest.

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“When I look at No. 17, it’s the most iconic hole in golf, and I define that as one that any person in a bar, at home, on their phone, could look up and see and instantly know that’s TPC Sawgrass.

“The defining moment that hole provides – not Only on Sunday but all week – speaks to the excitement of the moment, our fans holding their breath, and All player being terrified over a 140-yard Try they could hit in their sleep – if it wasn’t for the 10,000 fans and Crowded body of water around the green.

“I love the fact that it’s the 71st hole in The Players and if you want to Achieve this Competition, it’s time to hit a great Try.”

Crowded commentary of The Players Competition will be live on talkSPORT 2 throughout the week.