‘It’s Not For Us To Decide’ – New Tour Boss Gets It Right As Calls Continue Players Championship Be Designated A Major.

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PGA Tour Commissioner Brian Rolapp has been in the role for less than a year though in addressing the media ahead of this week’s Players Championship he got it right by declaring: “It’s not for the PGA Tour to decide whether or not the tournament should be a ranked a major“.

It is both a continuing and also an annoying point of discussion whether or not the Players Championship should be a major.

The golfing purists will have no talk of The Players being designated a fifth major, and rightfully so.

I can recall back to the days in being accredited for the 1988 Players Championship, and my maiden PGA Tour event and when there was talk of designating the Australian Open as a fifth major championship.

So, what do Australian Open officials think of this continual discussion now involving The Players?

It was noticeable last week at the Arnold Palmer Championship with my media colleagues intent on quizzing those competing at Bay Hill whether the Players deserves major championship status.  It’s been the same scenario at this time of the year for so many years.

The PGA Tour also has been promoting this week’s Players with TV advertisements declaring: ‘March is going to a be a major’.

This campaign, which began airing on February 5, 2026, aimed to highlight a packed, high-stakes schedule during the month of March, primarily centered around THE PLAYERS Championship.

If so, why then is there the need to mention the word ‘major’?

Rolapp found himself being asked to address such speculation during today’s press conference at TPC Sawgrass

“I will say the one thing I learned is our marketing department’s really effective. They made one commercial spot, and we’re all having this conversation, which is really interesting. Kudos to them“, said Rolapp.

“Listen, the talk on if this should be a major, should it not be a major, I’ve learned a lot. I’m not entirely sure how majors become majors; the history is really interesting to study. There used to be more majors. There’s fewer majors.

“I think what’s important, that’s not for us to decide. What is important is that this is a pretty special event and I think among the best events in golf. So I think anyone you talk to, players, fans, partners, they will tell you the same thing, and I think that should be celebrated.“

And we have Rory McIlroy on record after being asked the question earlier this year and the double Players champion declaring: “Look, I’d love to have seven majors instead of five, that sounds great.

“I think The Players is one of the best golf tournaments in the world; I don’t think anyone disputes that or argues that. I think from a player perspective, it’s amazing. I think from an on-site fan experience it’s amazing. It’s an amazing golf course, location, venue.

“But I’m a traditionalist, I’m a historian of the game. We have four major championships.”

And two-time major winner Collin Morikawa added: “I know this whole debate on major, not a major, I think, you ask any collegiate golfer, ask any junior golfer, like they obviously want to win the four majors, but you want to win the Players. Look, I want to finish off my career and look back one day and say I won the Players Championship. It’s a tournament you want to win.”

 



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