McIlroy: Players Championship Doesn’t Need to Be Fifth Major

Rory McIlroy has dismissed the idea of designating the Players Championship as a fifth major, insisting men’s golf should remain true to its four traditional majors — despite calling the event “one of the best golf tournaments in the world.”

The 36-year-old Northern Irishman, fresh off completing his career Grand Slam with a win at the 2026 Masters, made the comments ahead of his PGA Tour season debut at Pebble Beach this week.

“The Players doesn’t need to be anything else. It’s got more of an identity than the PGA Championship does at the minute,” said McIlroy.

Held each March at TPC Sawgrass, the Players Championship has long been nicknamed “the fifth major”, known for its elite field and iconic island green. However, since the rise of LIV Golf, the field has been missing some top-ranked names, prompting new promotional efforts like this year’s tagline: “March is going to be major.”

McIlroy: Tradition Over Expansion

McIlroy, who won the Players Championship in 2019, believes the event should be celebrated for what it already is — not elevated to major status.

“I think the Players is one of the best tournaments in the world… But I’m a traditionalist. We have four major championships,” said McIlroy.

“If you want to see what five majors looks like, look at the women’s game. I don’t know how well that’s went for them.”

The women’s game currently has five major championships, but McIlroy questioned whether that model is ideal for the men’s side.

Calls to Reschedule the PGA Championship

McIlroy also took aim at the US PGA Championship’s current May slot, arguing it lost identity when it was moved from August in 2019.

“It needs to go back to August,” he said. “It was ‘glory’s last shot’. It had a clear identity.”

McIlroy captured the PGA title in 2012 and 2014, both in August, and believes the reshuffle has blurred the event’s branding and place in the calendar.

Career Grand Slam Complete

McIlroy became just the sixth man in history to win all four majors after earning the Green Jacket at Augusta National in April 2026. He now holds:

• Masters (2026)

• US Open (2011)

• Open Championship (2014)

• PGA Championship (2012, 2014)

With five majors and two Players Championship titles, McIlroy joked:

“Look, I’d love to have seven majors instead of five, that sounds great.”