Is The Players Championship a major? Who is taking part, betting odds and prize money for 2022 golf tournament

The world’s best golfers are back in action this week for The Players Championship tournament at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

A total of 144 players make up the field having met different aspects of the qualification criteria with former world number one Justin Thomas back to defend the trophy he lifted in 2021.

The competition dates back to 1974 and has the highest prize fund of any competition in the sport.

Here is everything you need to know about the event including who will be taking part in 2022, the tournament odds and the prize money:

Is The Players Championship a major?

The Players Championship is one of the most high profile events in golf but is not one of the four majors.

It is widely considered the most prestigious event outside of The Open, US Open, PGA Championship and The Masters and is even nicknamed ‘the fifth major’ by some.

The event is held annually and is part of the PGA Tour, the main professional golf tour played in the United States and North America.

It was first played in 1974 and has been held at the TPC at Sawgrass’ Stadium Course since 1982.

Who is taking part at The Players Championship this year?

The field will be made up of 144 players who have met various qualification criteria.

To qualify for the tournament a competitor must meet one of the following:

• Win a PGA tour event since The Players Championship the previous year
• Win a recent major tournament, The Players Championship or World Golf Championship
• Be a leading player in the FedEx Cup standings from the current and preceding seasons

That means that all the biggest names in the sport will be taking part including the likes of Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia from Europe.

One name who will not be taking part is Tiger Woods who did qualify by virtue of winning The Masters in 2019 but will sit the competition out as he recovers from injury.

The Players Championship latest betting odds

The pre-tournament favourite for The Players Championship from the filed of 144 players is shared by three big names.

Defending champion Justin Thomas is joined by 2021 Open Championship winner Collin Morikawa and Team Europe Ryder Cup star Jon Rahm as 12/1 joint favourites.

Just behind them are Norway’s Viktor Hovland (16/1) and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy (18/1) followed by a host of the USA’s top players including Patrick Cantlay (20/1), Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele (both 25/1).

Other notable names further down the market include Shane Lowry (28/1), Dustin Johnson (33/1) and Jordan Spieth(40/1).

The Players Championship prize money

The Players Championship is notable for having the highest prize fund of any tournament in golf.

An incredible $20 million (£15,270,000) is up for grabs with the winner taking home $3.6 million.

The tournament overtook the US Open which has a considerably smaller prize purse of $12.5 million despite being one of the four majors.

The winner also earns 600 FedEx Cup points, if they are a PGA Tour member.

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