Golf

Players Championship becomes unofficial fifth major

PONTE VEDRA BEACH -- The Players Championship typically has the best field in golf, is played at a now-famous venue and is generally considered to be among the top tournaments on the PGA Tour. Some refer to it as the fifth major championship.

But what truly separates it from the four established majors? History. At what point does the Players have enough history to be considered among them? Maybe now, said tour commissioner Tim Finchem.

The 30th Players Championship begins today, and for the 22nd year it will be played at the TPC at Sawgrass Stadium Course.

"The Players Championship is now the same age as the Masters was in 1964, when Arnold Palmer won for the fourth time in eight years," Finchem said. "I think we would all agree that the Masters was considered a major at that point. The Players had matured, it's got some significant history, and I get the feeling that in the last five or six years, it has made its most significant movement in overall stature."

Players differ on this opinion, but almost to a man they regard the Players as the best event outside of the majors. Official recognition as a major might be more difficult to achieve. The tour's policy board could say it's a major, but what about golf's other governing bodies, such as the United States Golf Association, PGA of America and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews?

And what about the players themselves?

Tiger Woods: "I don't think it ranks up there in the majors category now."

Ernie Els: "The four majors are the most important. Obviously the Players Championship is our championship. The tour runs it. We kind of have a little bit of say in it. It's the best-run golf tournament of the year, let's put it that way.

"But it's not a major. Never will be."

ANOTHER WITHDRAWAL: Ian Leggatt became the latest player to withdraw from the Players Championship, citing an injury to his wrist and hand.

Els previously withdrew with a sore right wrist, and Phil Mickelson is staying home to be with his newborn son.

Next up could be Scott Hoch, whose right wrist flared up again.

TIGER TALK: When Woods won by 11 shots at Bay Hill last week, he made just one of 35 putts from longer than 15 feet. But he made 70 of 79 inside 15. ... Woods will visit Augusta National on Monday to get in a practice round for the Masters. He will be going for his third straight green jacket beginning April 10.

HOGAN'S SEASON: To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Ben Hogan's 1953 season, when he won the Masters, U.S. Open and British Open, the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine this week unveiled an exhibit, "Ben Hogan's Historic Season: 1953 -- A Golden Anniversary Tribute."

It features photos and memorabilia from 1953, when he won five of the six four-round tournaments he entered that season -- the three majors, plus the Colonial and Pan-American.

The memorabilia includes his locker from Shady Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, one of two original sets of clubs made in 1954 by the Ben Hogan Company and a set of Hogan's clubs.

LOCALLY: The LPGA Girls Golf Club of Largo will hold a free clinic for ages 5-16 from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday at Bardmoor Golf Club. LPGA instructor Jeanette Kohlhaas will conduct it. Another clinic is scheduled for April 12 at Lansbrook Golf Club in Palm Harbor. For more information, call (727) 773-0388. ... Cobra Golf will have a club demo day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 4 at Lansbrook. The company will let golfers test its clubs and will give a 25 percent discount on any product purchases. And anyone who buys Cobra equipment will receive a complimentary round of golf from Lansbrook. For information, call (727) 784-7333. ... The 2003 Gulf Coast Classic, an amateur event, is May 16-18 at Plantation Inn, World Woods and Sky View at Terra Vista. The cost is $250 per person and includes a round at each of the three venues and a pair of Foot Joy shoes, among other things. The 54-hole tournament will be flighted and is open to anyone with a USGA handicap. For information and an entry form, visit www.worldwoods.com.

-- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.

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