Scheffler became the first to defend a Players title last season; now, he aims for rarified air at TPC Sawgrass

THE PLAYERS and it's season-high $25 million purse is really the kickoff to golf's majors — even if it doesn't technically qualify as one. The tournament has all the hallmarks of the biggest events of the season: An elite course in TPC Sawgrass with arguably the most iconic hole in golf (the island green No.

The Players Championship has four decades of history at TPC Sawgrass suggesting it doesn't favor a particular style of golf — power player or pea shooter, great short game or consummate iron player. And then Scottie Scheffler came along.