For the sixth consecutive year, the Players Championship was won by a player ranked in the world’s top 10.
This year’s PGA Tour flagship event once again provided a thrilling conclusion, with Rory McIlroy defeating J.J. Spaun in a three-hole playoff on Monday. This victory sets the stage for an exciting golf season, with the Masters and other major championships on the horizon.
Here are four main takeaways from the 2025 Players Championship.
McIlroy’s Strong Start: A Good Sign for Augusta?
While past early-season successes haven’t always translated into Masters victories for McIlroy, this season’s start is unprecedented. For the first time in his career, McIlroy has achieved two Tour wins before May. This also marks the first time he’s had multiple global wins in the four months leading up to the Masters.
Historically, this might not guarantee Masters success. McIlroy’s Augusta performance history is mixed, with inconsistent results in his last four appearances: a missed cut, a second-place finish, another missed cut, and a tie for 22nd.
However, over the last three seasons, McIlroy has shown remarkable consistency in major championships, achieving eight top-10 finishes in his last 12 starts. His consistent presence at the top of major leaderboards is unmatched, yet a major win still eludes him, raising significant questions.
McIlroy is currently playing some of the best golf in the world. The confidence gained from two comeback wins in prestigious tournaments is significant. While it’s tempting to see this as the momentum he needs to end his 11-year major drought, it might simply add more pressure. He has, after all, experienced three heartbreaking major losses in recent years.
‘Pressure is a privilege,’ McIlroy stated after his Players victory. ‘It’s a feeling you want on the course. It’s why I dedicate so much time to practice and mastering my game – to put myself in these situations and test my abilities.’
Akshay Bhatia: Nearing the Spotlight
At just 23, Bhatia has steadily progressed as a professional golfer since turning pro at 19, skipping college. Now, he’s competing at the highest level. With two PGA Tour victories already (2024 Valero Open and 2023 Barracuda Championship), Bhatia’s performance at the Players, finishing just two strokes behind McIlroy, highlighted both his progress and areas for improvement.
Despite sharing the lead on Saturday, Bhatia’s putting, typically improved by his broomstick putter, faltered. A missed short birdie putt on the second hole set the tone for a day where he lost strokes on the greens and bogeyed the 18th after another short miss. On Sunday, he missed crucial birdie putts on the final holes that could have forced a playoff.
‘As you get into contention, you learn about your tendencies,’ Bhatia reflected. Despite his disappointment, he acknowledged the week’s significance. ‘Battling with Rory McIlroy, someone I’ve admired for years, at 23 is pretty cool.’
Last season marked Bhatia’s debut in all four majors. While he missed two cuts, he achieved a T-16 at the U.S. Open. His early career success is impressive, and his potential is even more exciting.
Data Golf indicates Bhatia is gaining strokes in every category this season except short game. While no single aspect of his game is yet elite, improving his putting and short game could position him to contend for a major, potentially as soon as next month.
Will Frustration Motivate or Hinder Scottie Scheffler?
In contrast to McIlroy’s triumph, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler experienced frustration at TPC Sawgrass, an emotion less familiar to him from last season. He displayed visible exasperation, dropping his hands in disbelief, showing anger with club throws, and attempting to laugh off difficult moments.
His top-20 finish still demonstrates his high skill level. Scheffler’s year started slowly due to a hand injury, hindering his rhythm. Additionally, his ball-striking hasn’t been as dominant as last season.
Scheffler ranks seventh in strokes gained: approach (+1.06), down from first last season (+1.5). While he’s expected to regain his ball-striking form, his performance around and on the greens is more concerning. Last season, he excelled in strokes gained: around the green and was slightly above average in putting.
This season, Scheffler has regressed in both short game categories, evident in missed short putts and failed up-and-downs. Despite his on-course frustration, Scheffler remains patient. For a typically composed competitor, channeling frustration into motivation could be beneficial.
‘I feel close after this week. There are things to work on at home, but I’m not far off,’ Scheffler said. ‘I’m competitive and felt I could have played better than 4 under par. But overall, I don’t feel distant from my best.’
The Players’ Unique Identity
While there’s no compelling reason to officially designate the Players Championship as a fifth major, there’s equally no reason for it to aspire to be.
The Players has found its niche as a premier tournament at an exceptional course, forging a distinct and growing identity.
The course itself is a rigorous test for top golfers. TPC Sawgrass demands tee-shot accuracy and rewards creativity when fairways are missed, making it as compelling as any major venue. McIlroy’s victory, despite hitting only 28 fairways, exemplifies this perfectly.
Although the field might not be the absolute strongest due to the emergence of LIV Golf, it still attracts top talent. In recent years, the Players has consistently delivered outstanding winners and compelling player matchups, like McIlroy versus Spaun.
The Players tastefully blends elements of the Waste Management Open atmosphere (in a more controlled manner) with a top-tier course and elite players, creating a marquee event. It possesses the energy of a major without the formal title.
This unique position can be seen as an advantage. Players consistently praise the Players Championship.
While a PGA Tour-PIF agreement is still pending, its eventual realization and tour unification could significantly benefit one event above all others: the Players Championship.
