"'Sudden Cancellation' The Players: 'Even More Regrettable as the 5th Major'"

"From Round 2 Without Spectators → Suspension Immediately After Round 1", Total Prize Money Halved to $7.5 Million Distributed to Players Who Completed Round 1, $52,083 Per Person

The "fifth major," The Players Championship, was abruptly canceled immediately after the first round due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Sudden Cancellation."

The Players Championship, which was suspended after the first round on the 13th due to recent concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States, boasts a unique status as the "5th Major." This is why players expressed even greater disappointment. Since its establishment in 1974, the PGA Tour has long worked to elevate it to major status. The scale is on a different level. The total prize money is $15 million (18.27 billion KRW), with the winner's prize reaching a whopping $2.7 million (3.29 billion KRW).

Players who had already completed the first round were equally given half of the total prize money, $7.5 million (9.135 billion KRW). That amounts to $52,083 (63.44 million KRW) per person. The respect for the champion is also exceptional. The winner is guaranteed a PGA Tour card for five years (two years for the regular tour), 80 world ranking points, and 600 FedEx Cup points, the same as a major. Additional thrilling rewards include three-year invitations to the Masters, US Open, and The Open, as well as a seed for that year's PGA Championship.

All-time winners include world number ones who dominated their eras, such as the inaugural champion Jack Nicklaus (USA), Greg Norman (Australia), and Tiger Woods (USA). In 1982, the PGA Tour headquarters selected TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida (par 72, 7,189 yards) as the venue, adding symbolic significance. In 2006, they invited world-renowned course designer Pete Dye (USA) and invested $40 million (48.3 billion KRW) to complete a major course renovation.

The trophy for 'The Players Championship,' the newly created 'Fifth Major' last year.

In 2014, the playoff format was expanded to three holes (holes 16-18, total score) like the PGA Championship, establishing the major framework. It is noteworthy that the tournament date was moved forward from May to March last year. With the PGA Championship moving from August to May, the schedule now arranges majors consecutively each month starting with The Players Championship in March, followed by the Masters in April, the PGA Championship in May, the US Open in June, and The Open in July.

They even commissioned Tiffany designers to create a new trophy. This is the fourth trophy following the Joseph C. Day Jr. Trophy (1974?1978), the Crystal Trophy (1979?2006), and the remodeled Crystal Trophy (2007?2018). It measures 17.78 cm in diameter, 43 cm in height, and weighs 3.5 kg. The central statue is inspired by the golfer swing in the PGA Tour logo and is made of sterling silver with 24K gold plating. The base features a water hazard image inspired by the iconic 17th hole island green.

It is interesting that the tournament had a fierce "major elevation competition" with the Memorial Tournament. After winning the Masters in 1966, Jack Nicklaus said he wanted to "create another Masters" and established the prestigious Muirfield Village course near Columbus, Ohio, founding the Memorial Tournament in 1976. However, then PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman poured enormous funds into pushing The Players as the "5th Major."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.