Players Championship 2012 Coverage: Full Viewing Guide for Golf's '5th Major'

Although it may not actually be considered a major, The Players Championship is often called golf's fifth major because of its significance and iconic status.

Played at TPC Sawgrass, the players must navigate perhaps the most famous hole in golf, the island hole at No. 17. That in itself makes for must-see television.

That is just one of the myriad of reason to watch, though, as it truly is a gem of a tournament. A victory can often catapult a player to new heights and there is no doubt that it can provide a huge confidence boost ahead of the US Open. The golfers who are in good form this weekend are certainly ones you'll want to look out for on the third weekend in June.

Here is all the information you need to make sure you don't have to miss a second of action at The Players Championship.

Where: TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

When: Thursday, May 10 - Sunday, May 13

Watch: Golf Channel and NBC

Live Stream: PGATour.com/LiveGolf 

Full Television Schedule

Thursday, May 10, 1 p.m. ET - 7 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)

Friday, May 11, 1 p.m. ET - 7 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)

Saturday, May 12, 12 p.m. ET - 2 p.m. ET (Golf Channel) and 2 p.m. ET - 7 p.m. ET (NBC)

Sunday, May 13, 12 p.m. ET - 2 p.m. ET (Golf Channel) and 2 p.m. ET - 7 p.m. ET (NBC)

Most Intriguing Golfers to Watch

Tiger Woods

He may be nine shots off the pace at two-over par and playing some of his worst golf, but that doesn't change the fact that everyone wants to see how Tiger Woods fares. He is going to have to scratch and claw to avoid missing the cut for a second consecutive tournament, but you never know when some of that old Tiger magic will be displayed.

Whether he's at his best or his worst, Woods is a polarizing figure that makes people want to watch the game of golf, even if they aren't particularly big fans. There isn't much middle ground with Woods, and regardless of whether you love him or hate him, you'll want to see what he does over the next few days.

Ian Poulter

After shooting a sterling 65 in the first round, Ian Poulter is tied atop the leaderboard with Martin Laird at seven-under par. When he is on top of his game and playing consistently, Poulter can compete with the best of them. It is too often, though, that he follows up a great round with an awful round and pretty much destroys all the momentum he created.

If the Englishman wants to win a big-time tournament, though, he's going to have to string together four strong rounds. He has done it before, but never in such a high-level tournament, so his progress certainly bears watching over the next couple days.

Rory McIlroy

Like Woods, world No. 1 Rory McIlroy is in a fairly anonymous position right now at seven shots behind Poulter and Laird at even par, but since he is currently the top player in the rankings, many eyes are going to be on him. McIlroy undoubtedly has the tools to mount a seven-stroke comeback, and that will make him an interesting golfer to watch over the remainder of the tournament.

With the struggles that Tiger has had of late, a lot of the focus has been shifting in McIlroy's direction. He's probably going to play second fiddle to Woods for quite some time, but the more Tiger falters and McIlroy succeeds, the more people are going to take notice of the rising star.