Players Championship ‘special but unlikely to become fifth major tournament’

One of the main reasons this rivalry is so compelling is the stadium itself. It does what it says on the tin, delighting huge crowds with an unnerving test of the best players in the world year after year.

“I remember when I played it, I stood on the 18th tee and I was scared aimless,” European Ryder Cup player Oliver Wilson recalls. “You can never relax on this golf course.”

And so it came to pass that Young and Fitzpatrick arrived at the final tee box locked together with that great title on the line. Young’s ball had been devoured by the vast expanse of water below left less than 24 hours earlier.

Fitzpatrick had his own demons given his double bogey on the same hole, also in the third round.

The final day’s task required the utmost courage in golf and Young was in a good mood. Of the main contenders only he and Justin Thomas held the exciting pin firmly on the right edge of the 17th green.

Young was rewarded with a birdie that brought him level with his Ryder Cup rival Fitzpatrick. Now it’s time to unleash the furthest driving range ever at the Sawgrass closing hatch.

At 375 yards, it was the longest officially recorded, and more importantly, it found the fairway. Fitzpatrick also went with the driver, but found pine straw between the trees on the right.

If he had his time again, would a triple strike have been a better option? Decision making is something that comes under the microscope in the most intense moments.

“I know Cam equalized, he moved a little bit,” Fitzpatrick said. “I thought my team would do the same. And apparently he just died.”

Arguments over strategy aside, this was a big title decided by the best of margins. Fitzpatrick couldn’t help but make a bogey despite making a few mistakes.

Young went out and won it. This is after Ludwig Aberg relinquished his leadership position as the starting back nine.

Once again the golf course made demands that led to the Swede making critical errors when he found water on the eleventh and twelfth holes.

“The risk and reward of the nine-pounder poses relentless questions and he failed almost immediately,” said Wilson, who was part of the commentary team at 5 Live in Florida.

“You can’t help but think about the opportunities he had at the end of the third round and then early on the final day. This field is always ready to bite, so you’ve got to take advantage when you’re playing your best golf.”

This has created an exciting and exciting mix for those watching both on the ground and on television.