Players Championship 2016: Tee Times, Dates, TV Schedule and Prize Money
Although The Players Championship doesn't carry the major label, winning the coveted title is still one of the most important pieces of any golfer's resume. That's why the tournament always attracts a star-studded field, and the 2016 edition of the event is no exception.
Rickie Fowler arrives to the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course as the reigning champion after edging Sergio Garcia and Kevin Kisner in a playoff last year. Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day are just a few of the other notable names set to tee it up this week.
So let's check out all of the important viewing information for the event. That's followed by a closer look at the tournament details and a preview of the action from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
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Tournament TV Schedule
| Thursday, May 12 | 1 - 7 p.m. | Golf Channel |
| Friday, May 13 | 1 - 7 p.m. | Golf Channel |
| Saturday, May 14 | 2 - 7 p.m. | NBC |
| Sunday, May 15 | 2 - 7 p.m. | NBC |
2016 Prize Money Details
| Total Purse | $10.5 million |
| Winner's Share | $1.89 million |
Tee Time Information
| 8:10 a.m. | 1:25 p.m. | Danny Willett | Brandt Snedeker | Justin Rose |
| 8:21 a.m. | 1:36 p.m. | Martin Kaymer | Henrik Stenson | Phil Mickelson |
| 8:43 a.m. | 1:58 p.m. | Branden Grace | Jason Day | Jordan Spieth |
| 1:36 p.m. | 8:21 a.m. | Adam Scott | Rickie Fowler | Matt Kuchar |
| 1:58 p.m. | 8:43 a.m. | Bubba Watson | Rory McIlroy | Dustin Johnson |
For a complete list of tournament tee times, visit the PGA Tour's official site.
Players Championship Preview
Fowler's triumph in the Players last year was his first on the PGA Tour in three years. It also came the same week as a Golf.com anonymous poll showed his fellow golfers voted him in a tie for the most overrated player with Ian Poulter.
He quickly shut up the critics with that win and added another later in the 2015 campaign at the Deutsche Bank Championship during the playoffs. He insisted to Bob Harig of ESPN.com there's no connection between the poll and his success, though:
"It was just coincidence. I can't sit here and actually give credit to it. That's pretty funny. I mean, I laughed at the survey. Same as what Poulter did. It was obviously nice to win and take care of the survey. Shows you how credible they are. Yeah, it was fun. Whether you prove something wrong or just take care of business, it was a good time.
"
Whatever the reason, Fowler once again heads into The Players Championship looking for a spark. He's winless on the PGA Tour this season, though he did win the European Tour's Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in January. A repeat victory this week could spur another second-half surge.
Of all the stars in the field, McIlroy has the most reason for optimism. He's earned three straight top-10 finishes, including a fourth-place effort in the Wells Fargo Championship last week that saw him post a six-under final round to put himself into contention.
The other factor is his improved comfort level at TPC Sawgrass. Josh Gross of RotoCurve showcased the Northern Irishman's turnaround on the course best known for the island green on No. 17:
The Players also marks the return of Jordan Spieth. The two-time major champion was last seen at the Masters, where he let a Sunday lead slip away in cringeworthy fashion. He still finished second, but the questions will surround the mental toll of letting the green jacket slip away.
He explained to Jason Sobel of ESPN.com that the reaction from other people makes it seem like something more serious happened than losing a golf tournament.
"I'm not taking it very hard," Spieth said. "I've got ladies in grocery stores coming up there, putting their hand on me, going, 'Really praying for you. How are you doing?' I'm like, 'My dog didn't die. I'm doing OK. I'll survive. It happens.' Again, unfortunate timing. I laugh about it now—I really do."
Although there's no reason to doubt Spieth at this stage, it will be intriguing to see how he reacts the next time he finds himself holding the 54-hole lead. Perhaps it could even happen this weekend.
Then there's Jason Day. He's enjoying another strong season with two victories already under his belt. The last time he was on this course, however, he struggled to a second-round 81 en route to getting cut from the 2015 tournament.
As he seeks a bounce-back performance, he talked about seeking guidance from Tiger Woods, as noted by the PGA Tour:
Speaking of Woods, he's one of the few high-profile names not in the field. Golf Channel reported he hit some shots at a junior clinic last month, but his agent, Mark Steinberg, told Harig there's no timetable for the longtime star's return to competitive play.
Ultimately, there's always more buzz around a tournament when Woods is involved, but golf has done a nice job of transitioning to a new era in the meantime. Players like Fowler, McIlroy, Spieth and Day have shown there's certainly life after Tiger on the PGA Tour.
This week should serve as a perfect example of that point. Expect a crowded leaderboard heading into Sunday's action with at least two of those top players in contention.
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