Players Championship 2026: Key Tee Times and Tournament Preview
The 2026 Players Championship is poised to commence on Thursday, March 12, at the legendary TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Dubbed golf's "fifth major," this prestigious event assembles the most elite field of the PGA Tour season, vying for one of the sport's largest prize purses.
Defending Champion Rory McIlroy's Group
Rory McIlroy returns to TPC Sawgrass not only as a former champion but as the defending titleholder after his nail-biting victory in 2025. He will be grouped with Xander Schauffele and Hideki Matsuyama for the opening round. Their tee time is scheduled for 1:42 PM local time, which translates to 5:42 PM UK time.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler's Group
On the opposite side of the draw, world number one Scottie Scheffler will start his first round from the No. 10 tee. He has been paired with Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Thomas, with their tee time set for 8:52 AM local time, equivalent to 12:52 PM UK time.
Other Notable Tee Times and Player Insights
Additional high-profile pairings include Ludvig Aberg, Collin Morikawa, and Kim Si-woo, who are set to tee off at 12:40 PM UK time. Another compelling group features Viktor Hovland, Russell Henley, and Bob McIntyre, with their round beginning at 1:04 PM UK time.
McIlroy's Injury Concerns: Rory McIlroy is competing despite managing a back injury that forced him to withdraw before the third round of last week's Arnold Palmer Invitational. His participation adds an element of uncertainty to his performance.
Historical Context: Both McIlroy and Scheffler have each won the Players Championship twice. McIlroy secured victories in 2019 and 2025, while Scheffler achieved back-to-back wins in 2023 and 2024. Should either triumph this weekend, they would equal Jack Nicklaus's record of three titles, becoming only the second player to do so.
Recent Form Analysis: McIlroy's 2026 season has been inconsistent; he finished as joint-runner-up at The Genesis Invitational but withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to back spasms. In contrast, Scottie Scheffler has demonstrated remarkable consistency, winning The American Express in January and securing top-five finishes at the WM Phoenix Open and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
How to Watch the Players Championship in the UK
Sky Sports Golf will provide extensive coverage of all four rounds. Broadcasts begin at 11:30 AM on Thursday and Friday, and at 1:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Viewers can also stream the action via the Sky Go app or with a NOW Sports membership.
