What are the perks of winning The Players Championship?
You don’t just have good memories when you win The Players. A plethora of benefits come your way as well…
After holing the final putt to win The Players Championship, one can only imagine the jubilation.
You are presented with the trophy, you greet the fans. And then you go and celebrate into the Florida evening.
But it’s not just a sore head and memories you receive for winning the PGA Tour’s flagship event at TPC Sawgrass.
Many things will come your way if you conquer the Stadium Course at a tournament that has long been regarded as golf’s fifth major championship.
All sorts of exemptions will be on the horizon as well as some tangible treats for you to enjoy as well.
Often when you say the words ‘Perks’ and ‘Players Championship’ in the same sentence, Tiger Woods shudders in horror at the thought of a golfer from New Zealand chipping in twice in the last three holes in 2002 to seal victory.
But jokes aside, what are the perks of winning The Players Championship and how much does it benefit a PGA Tour player in the future?
ALSO: What are The Players Championship playoff rules?
ALSO: What is the cut rule at The Players Championship?
Perks of winning The Players Championship
You’re in the majors!
First thing first, you’ll be going to the major championships for at least the short-term future if nothing else.
The Masters, the PGA Championship, the US Open and The Open all offer three-year exemptions for those who win The Players Championship.
You’re all set on the PGA Tour
Arguably the most important benefit of winning The Players is your security on the PGA Tour. Your card will be locked up for five years which is massively beneficial for players who could be lurking on the cusp of the bottom end of the FedEx Cup standings.
Also, you earn a five-year exemption at The Players itself, which also doesn’t hurt.
A trip to Hawaii!
At the beginning of each calendar year on the PGA Tour, the first event is always The Sentry which celebrates the champions of the previous year on the US circuit.
If you win an event, be it The Players or another one, you will qualify for The Sentry which is played at the Plantation Course at Kapalua in Hawaii.
A shiny, golden trophy
The gold Players Championship trophy is a hugely impressive piece of sterling silver and gold vermeil that was first introduced when Rory McIlroy won the Players in 2019.
The trophy is meant to incorporate the swings of every player to have won the event, with the golfer in the trophy standing on the famous par-3 17th hole’s island green.
If you win The Players, it’s yours.
A locker at TPC Sawgrass
If you are lucky enough to win this prestigious event, you will return the following year and the years after that with your own locker in the player’s locker room.
This is certainly something the likes of McIlroy, Woods, and Scottie Scheffler will never get tired of.
A ridiculous amount of money
The prize purse at The Players Championship is a whopping $25 million, the same as it was when Scheffler dominated proceedings in 2023.
Scheffler pocketed $4.5 million for his troubles which is what this year’s winner will earn if they cross the line in first place.
NOW READ: Who is eligible to play at The Players Championship?
NOW READ: Who has had a hole-in-one at The Players?
What is the pick of these Players Championship perks? Tell us on X/Twitter!
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
