Players Championship: Matt Fitzpatrick on why winning at Sawgrass was ‘up there’

In addition to the history and hype, the tournament’s unpredictability sets it apart from the rest.

No player has lifted the trophy more than three-time champion Jack Nicklaus, who won three of the first five events in his formative Nomadic years.

Since the stadium in Sawgrass became its permanent home in 1982, Nicklaus’ stock has remained untouched.

However, this week offers an opportunity for defending champion Rory McIlroy, who is nursing a back injury, and world number one Scottie Scheffler – in a group of two-time winners alongside Fred Cupples, Steve Elkington, Hal Sutton, Davis Love III and Tiger Woods – to equal the record.

Scheffler is the only player to win back-to-back Players’ Titles, a fact Fitzpatrick points out when defining what makes the event so special.

The 2022 US Open champion has a mixed record on a course that requires clarity of thought and precision, where the omnipresent water and sand seem ripe to mete out harsh punishment.

In the past five years, Fitzpatrick has had two top-10 finishes — ninth in 2021 and fifth in 2024 — but has missed the rankings on the other three occasions.

“I love the golf course, it’s a great golf course,” Fitzpatrick said.

“It’s a really good test and offers a variety of shots, which really makes you think.

“It’s interesting that there’s only been one repeat winner, and if you look at the results of a lot of players, it’s been up and down. It’s a real test of all aspects of your golf game.”

Fitzpatrick’s game overall is in a good place which is why he’s backed to be among the contenders.

The 31-year-old Yorkshireman ended 2025 with an impressive win at the DP World Tour Championship, using that momentum to get off to an encouraging start to 2026 which has so far seen a top-10 finish at the Phoenix Open as a high point.

Heading into last weekend’s Arnold Palmer Invitational — the final event before players start on Thursday — the stats made it clear where Fitzpatrick’s game stands.

He is ranked in the top 20 in total strokes gained — the analytical tool used to determine a player’s score against the rest of the round — and sits in fifth place from tee to green.

Those numbers were beaten by a poor finish at Bay Hill, where five bogeys on the final eight holes dropped Fitzpatrick to 41st on the final leaderboard.

There was something positive to be taken. His putting – which let him down on the PGA Tour’s West Coast in January and February – has been greatly improved.

Speaking at Bay Hill about his prospects with the players, Fitzpatrick said: “I feel like my game is going in the right direction, I played well on the West Coast, I didn’t really make any shots.

“Hopefully over the next few weeks I can eat vegetables that I feel more comfortable with and achieve some good results.

“My leadership and game has been solid. If I can make a few more shots, I’ll have a chance.”