Russell Henley, a five-time PGA Tour winner, expressed his belief that The Players Championship qualifies as a major tournament. Speaking ahead of his title defense at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Henley highlighted the event's strong field, challenging course, and historical significance. His comments align with recent PGA Tour promotions but contrast with views from players like Rory McIlroy.
In Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Russell Henley addressed reporters before defending his Arnold Palmer Invitational title. The 36-year-old golfer, who has secured five PGA Tour victories but none in the majors or The Players, voiced strong support for elevating the PGA Tour's flagship event at TPC Sawgrass to major status.
“I mean, I think it’s a major,” Henley stated. “It’s our home tournament. I don’t know the statistics on like what they say, like best field in golf or whatever, but, I mean, it is. And the history with that tournament? I mean, I’ve always considered that a major in my mind. It’s just such a tricky golf course, and it rewards great shots, typically. It visually is very intimidating. I feel like if you have a good week there you’ve done a lot of really good things. You look at the past champions and it hasn’t really favored any one player. People typically don’t win it back-to-back, unless you’re Scottie. But yeah, it’s a tournament I always look forward to, I love the challenge of it, and I consider it a major.”
Henley's perspective echoes a recent PGA Tour advertising campaign for The Players, set to begin a week from the following Thursday, which declares, “March is going to be major.” Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee reinforced this by noting, “When you look at the Players Championship – with all due respect to the other four major championships – it is the best field in golf.”
The PGA Tour issued a statement acknowledging ongoing discussions: “Fans and players have long discussed The Players Championship’s status as a major. We understand that is not for us to decide. Ultimately it is up to our sport and its fans to recognize what the professionals who play the game already know.”
Not all professionals agree. Rory McIlroy, speaking at Pebble Beach, emphasized tradition: “I’m a traditionalist, I’m a historian of the game. We have four major championships.”
Henley acknowledged that a victory at TPC Sawgrass would rank highly among his achievements. “Definitely,” he said. “I mean, winning there, when you win on a golf course like that, with that kind of history, it proves you can do it anywhere, I think, for sure. Those closing holes are really tough, I would imagine, when you’re carrying a lead.”
