Scottie Scheffler Wins 2023 Players Championship -- Can You Name the Previous 20 Golfers to Win the Tournament?

Scottie Scheffler Wins 2023 Players Championship — Can You Name the Previous 20 Golfers to Win the Tournament?

The 2023 Players Championship began on Thursday, March 9 and concluded on Sunday, March 12 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. It’s one of the highlights of the PGA Tour season and is often regarded as the unofficial fifth major event. This year’s winner was none other than Scottie Scheffler. 

Scheffler ended the first round with a 68 (-4), which was four shots behind the leader – Chad Ramey at 64 (-8). He shot up the rankings with a 69 (-3) on Friday, which was good enough for second place at 137 (-7) on the week – two shots behind Adam Svensson at 135 (-9). And that’s when Scottie took over. 

On Saturday, Scheffler shot a 65 (-7) to bring his total to 202 (-14) on the week – two shots ahead of second place Min Woo Lee at 204 (-12). A 69 (-3) on Sunday gave him the first place finish at 271 (-17) on the week, which was five shots better than second place finisher Tyrrell Hatton at 276 (-12). 

RELATED: Scottie Scheffler Wins PGA Tour Player of the Year; Who Are the Other 17 Golfers to Win the Award Since 1990?

Past Winners of the 2023 Players Championship

Scottie Scheffler Wins 2023 Players Championship -- Can You Name the Previous 20 Golfers to Win the Tournament?
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The Players Championship is a PGA Tour event that every professional golfer has circled on their annual calendar. It brings together 144 of the top golfers in the world – with the exception of those playing in LIV Golf – for a shot at winning a ton of money. In fact, it offers the largest purse of the PGA Tour season. 

While Scheffler won his first Players Championship just a few weeks ago, he has to win two more to tie the all-time leader in Players Championship wins – Jack Nicklaus. Not only did Nicklaus win the inaugural Players Championship in 1974, but he won it three times (1974, 1976, 1978) over a five-year span. 

Nicklaus is one of six golfers to win the Players Championship twice in their career – the others being Fred Couples, Steve Elkington, Hal Sutton, Davis Love III, and Tiger Woods. With that said, we haven’t had a two-time winner since Woods did it 10 years ago – will Scheffler finally put an end to that streak? 

We’ll have to wait and find out. In the meantime, let’s take a look at the 20 most recent winners of the Players Championship – dating back to 2002. 

20. Cameron Smith – 2022

The 2022 Players Championship was held on March 10-14 and featured a total purse of $20 million. Cameron Smith ended up winning $3.6 million with a score of 275 (-13), which was one stroke ahead of Anirban Lahiri (who won $2.18 million) and two strokes ahead of Paul Casey (who won $1.38 million). 

Tommy Fleetwood and Tom Hoge each shot a 66 (-6) to lead the tournament after the first round. Sam Burns and Hoge shared the lead after two rounds with a 137 (-7). Lahiri took the lead after three rounds with a 207 (-9), but Smith – who was tied-6th – came out of nowhere with a 66 (-6) in the final round. 

19. Justin Thomas – 2021

The 2021 Players Championship was held on March 11-14 and featured a total purse of $15 million. Justin Thomas won $2.7 million with a score of 274 (-14), which was one stroke ahead of Lee Westwood ($1.635 million) and two strokes ahead of Bryson DeChambeau and Brian Harman ($885k).

Sergio Garcia shot an impressive 65 (-7) in the first round to take a two-stroke lead, but Westwood came out of nowhere with a 66 (-6) in the second round and led with a 135 (-9). Westwood maintained the lead with a 203 (-13) after the third round, but Thomas secured the bag with a 68 (-4) in the final round of play.

18. Rory McIlroy – 2019

The 2019 Players Championship was held on March 14-17 and featured a total purse of $12.5 million. Rory McIlroy ended up winning $2.25 million with a score of 272 (-16), which was one stroke ahead of Jim Furyk ($1.35 million) and two strokes ahead of Eddie Pepperell and Jhonattan Vegas ($725k).

The first round belonged to Keegan Bradley and Tommy Fleetwood, who each shot a 65 (-7) to take the early lead. Fleetwood shared the lead with McIlroy after two rounds, both of whom were at 132 (-12). Jon Rahm shot a 64 (-8) in the third round to take the lead at -15, but McIlroy came back to secure the bag. 

17. Webb Simpson – 2018

The 2018 Players Championship was held on May 10-13 and featured a total purse of $11 million. Webb Simpson won $1.98 million with a score of 270 (-18), which was 4 strokes ahead of Xander Schauffele, Charl Schwartzel, and Jimmy Walker – each of whom won $821,333 for the second place finish. 

The first round ended with six players in the lead at 66 (-6) – Simpson being one of them. He ended up taking sole possession of first place with an incredible 63 (-9) in the second round, putting him at -15 on the week. He shot up to -19 by the end of the third round and maintained his lead through the final round.

16. Si Woo Kim – 2017

The 2017 Players Championship was held on May 11-14 and featured a total purse of $10.5 million. Si Woo Kim won $1.89 million with a score of 278 (-10), which was three strokes ahead of Ian Poulter and Louis Oosthuizen ($924k) and four strokes ahead of Kyle Stanley and Rafa Cabrera-Bello ($462k). 

Mackenzie Hughes and William McGirt shared a lead after the first round with a 67 (-15). Stanley and Oosthuizen overtook that lead with a 135 (-9) after two rounds, while Stanley and J.B. Holmes led the way after three rounds with a 207 (-9). Kim ended up shooting a 69 (-3) in the final round to win it all.

15. Jason Day – 2016

The 2016 Players Championship was held on May 12-15 and featured a total purse of $10.5 million. Jason Day ended up winning $1.89 million with a score of 273 (-15), which was four strokes ahead of Kevin Chappell ($1.134 million). There was a four-way tie for third place, each taking home $504k. 

Jason Day played a spectacular first round of golf, ending the day with a 63 (-9), and maintained his lead throughout all four rounds. He shot a 66 (-6) in the second round and a 73 (+1) in the third round, entering the final round at 2020 (-14). A 71 (-1) on the final day helped complete the amazing wire-to-wire victory. 

14. Rickie Fowler – 2015

The 2015 Players Championship was held on May 7-10 and featured a total purse of $10 million. Rickie Fowler ended up winning $1.8 million with a score of 276 (-12) – beating Kevin Kisner and Sergio Garcia in a playoff after all three players ended the week at 276 (-12). Kisner and Garcia won $880k.

The first round ended with a four-way tie between David Hearn, Charley Hoffman, Hideki Matsuyama, and Kevin Na – all of whom shot a 67 (-5). Na and Jerry Kelly were winning after two rounds at 136 (-8), but Chris Kirk took the lead after three with a 206 (-10) until Fowler, Garcia, and Kisner stole the show.

13. Martin Kaymer – 2014

The 2014 Players Championship was held on May 8-11 and featured a total purse of $10 million. Martin Kaymer won $1.8 million with a score of 275 (-13), which was one stroke ahead of Jim Furyk ($1.08 million) and two strokes ahead of Sergio Garcia ($680k). Justin Rose and Jordan Spieth tied for 4th.

Kaymer had a spectacular first round of golf after shooting 63 (-9) in the first round – two strokes ahead of the next closest. He maintained the lead with a 69 (-3) in the second round and a 72 (E) in the third round. Despite a late comeback by Furyk, Kaymer completed the wire-to-wire win with a 71 (-1) on Sunday. 

12. Tiger Woods – 2013, 2001

The 2013 Players Championship was held on May 9-12 and featured a $9.5 million purse. Tiger Woods won $1.71 million with a score of 275 (-13), two strokes ahead of David Lingmerth, Jeff Maggert, and Kevin Streelman – they won $709,333. Martin Laird, Ryan Palmer, and Henrik Stenson were tied-5th.

Woods also won the 2001 Players Championship, which was held on March 22-26 and featured a total purse of $6 million. He won $1.08 million with a score of 274 (-14) – one stroke ahead of Vijay Singh ($648k), two strokes ahead of Bernhard Langer ($408k), and four strokes ahead of Jerry Kelly ($288k).

11. Matt Kuchar – 2012

The 2012 Players Championship was held on May 10-13 and featured a total purse of $9.5 million. Matt Kuchar won $1.71 million with a score of 275 (-13), which was two strokes ahead of Ben Curtis, Rickie Fowler, Zach Johnson, and Martin Laird – all of whom won $627,000. Luke Donald finished in 6th.

Laird and Ian Poulter were tied for the lead after the first round with a 65 (-7), but neither maintained that lead in the second round – which saw Johnson, Kuchar, and Kevin Na emerge at 136 (-8). Na would go on to lead after three rounds with a 204 (12), but it was Kuchar who won it with a 70 (-2) on the final day.

10. K.J. Choi – 2011

The 2011 Players Championship was held on May 12-15 and featured a total purse of $9.5 million. K.J. Choi ended up winning $1.71 million with a score of 275 (-13) – defeating David Toms by one stroke in a playoff. Toms won $1.026 million for his efforts, while Paul Goydos won $646,000 for third place. 

Nick Watney had an incredible first round, shooting a 64 (-8) and taking a day-one lead, but he was bested by Toms in the second round – who entered day three at 134 (-10). Graeme McDowell took the day-three lead at 204 (-12), but it was Toms and Choi who finished well and took it to a thrilling playoff. 

9. Tim Clark – 2010

The 2010 Players Championship was held on May 6-9 and featured a total purse of $9.5 million. Tim Clark ended up winning $1.71 million with a score of 272 (-16), which was one stroke ahead of Robert Allenby (who won $1.026 million) and two strokes ahead of Lucas Glover (who won $646,000). 

Allenby and J.B. Holmes held the lead after the first round with a 66 (-6), but neither of them maintained the lead after two rounds – which went to Lee Westwood at 132 (-12).  Westwood was still in the lead after three rounds at 202 (-14), but it was Clark who shot a 67 (-5) in the final round to secure the bag.

8. Henrik Stenson – 2009

The 2009 Players Championship was held on May 7-10 and featured a total purse of $9.5 million. Henrik Stenson ended up winning $1.71 million with a score of 276 (-12), which was four strokes ahead of Ian Poulter ($1.026 million) and five strokes ahead of John Mallinger and Kevin Na (each won $551,000). 

Ben Crane was the most impressive golfer after day one, shooting a 65 (-7) on Thursday. Alex Čejka stayed consistent through two rounds and held a two-stroke lead at 133 (-11) heading into the weekend. He maintained that lead with a 205 (-11) after three rounds, but Stenson shot a 66 (-6) on Sunday to win.

7. Sergio Garcia – 2008

The 2008 Players Championship was held on May 8-11 and featured a total purse of $9.5 million. Sergio Garcia ended up winning $1.71 million with a score of 283 (-5) – defeating Paul Goydos by two strokes in a playoff round. Goydos won $1.026 million, while Jeff Quinney won $646,000 for his third place finish.

Garcia got off to a hot start on Thursday, finishing the first round with a leading 66 (-6), but shot a 73 (+1) on Friday as Kenny Perry took the lead at 138 (-6). Garcia dropped to third place after Saturday’s round as Goydos took the lead with 209 (-7), but Garcia came back to force a playoff with Goydos at 283 (-5). 

6. Phil Mickelson – 2007

The 2007 Players Championship was held on May 10-13 and featured a total purse of $9 million. Phil Mickelson ended up winning $1.62 million with a score of 277 (-11), which was two strokes ahead of Sergio Garcia ($972k) and three strokes ahead of Stewart Cink and Jose Maria Olazabal ($522k). 

Mickelson and Rory Sabbatini took the early lead with a 67 (-5) in the first round, but Mickelson was the only one to maintain that lead through two rounds with 139 (-5). Sean O’Hair had a terrific third round and took the lead with a 207 (-9) through three, but Mickelson stayed consistent with a 69 (-3) on Sunday.

5. Stephen Ames – 2006

The 2006 Players Championship was held on March 23-26 and featured a $8 million purse. Stephen Ames won $1.44 million with a score of 274 (-14), which was 6 strokes ahead of Retief Goosen ($864k) and 8 strokes ahead of Jim Furyk, Pat Perez, Henrik Stenson, and Camilo Villegas ($384k each).

Furyk and Davis Love III came out swinging with a 65 (-7) to take an early lead after the first round. Furyk went on to lead after two rounds with a combined 136 (-8), but Ames came back to take a lead after three rounds at 207 (-9). He played some of his best ball down the stretch and shot a 67 (-5) on Sunday to win.

4. Fred Funk – 2005

The 2005 Players Championship was held on March 24-28 and featured a total purse of $8 million. Fred Funk ended up winning $1.44 million with a score of 279 (-9), which was one stroke ahead of Luke Donald, Tom Lehman, and Scott Verplank – each of whom won $597,333. Joe Durant placed fifth. 

Steve Jones started the week with some beautiful golf, shooting a 64 (-8) in the first round. The second round ended with a four-way tie between Donald, Durant, Tim Herron, and Lee Westwood at 134 (-10). Donald took the sole lead in the third round at 204 (-12), but Funk took the lead with a 71 (-1) on Sunday.

3. Adam Scott – 2004

The 2004 Players Championship was held on March 25-28 and featured a total purse of $8 million. Adam Scott ended up winning $1.44 million with a score of 276 (-12), which was one stroke ahead of Padraig Harrington ($864k) and 4 strokes ahead of Frank Lickliter, Phil Mickelson, and Kenny Perry ($416k).

Scott started out hot with a 65 (-7) after the first round, but Jerry Kelly and Kevin Sutherland overtook that lead with a 135 (-9) after two rounds. Scott retained his lead after the third round, thanks to a 69 (-3) that put him at 206 (-10) heading into Sunday, where he finished the week with a 70 (-2) to win it all.

2. Davis Love III – 2003, 1992

The 2003 Players Championship was held on March 27-30 and featured a $6.5 million purse. Davis Love III ended up winning $1.17 million with a score of 271 (-17), which was six strokes ahead of Jay Haas and Padraig Harrington ($572k) and seven strokes ahead of Robert Allenby and Jim Furyk ($286k).

Love III also won the 1992 Players Championship, which was held on March 26-29 and featured a $1.8 million purse. He won $324k with a score of 273 (-15), which was four strokes ahead of Ian Baker-Finch, Phil Blackmar, Nick Faldo, and Tom Watson – each of whom won $118,800 with a score of 277 (-11).

1. Craig Perks – 2002

The 2002 Players Championship was held on March 21-24 and featured a total purse of $6 million. Craig Perks ended up winning $1.08 million with a score of 280 (-8), which was two strokes ahead of Stephen Ames ($648k) and three strokes ahead of Rocco Mediate (408k). There was a five-way tie for 4th place.

Phil Mickelson had himself an incredible first round, shooting a 64 (-8) on Thursday to take an early lead. Carl Paulson and Jeff Sluman shared a lead after two rounds with a 138 (-6), while Paulson maintained that lead through three rounds with a 207 (-9). Perks stayed consistent and won with a 72 (E) on Sunday.

Who Has the Best Round at the Players Championship?

When Scottie Scheffler shot a 271 (-17) at the 2023 Players Championship, it was the best round we’ve seen since Webb Simpson shot a 270 (-18) in 2018. Still, Simpson was six shots behind the all-time leader at the Players Championship – which goes to Greg Norman, who shot a 264 (-24) in 1994. 

As for Scheffler’s 5-stroke win over Tyler Hatton, it was the largest margin of victory we’ve seen at the Players Championship since Stephen Ames beat Retief Goosen by 6 strokes in 2006. Still, it wasn’t the largest margin of victory of all-time, which goes to Steve Elkington over Scott Hoch (7 strokes) in 1997. 

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One record that Scottie Scheffler did break in 2023 was the winner’s share – which turned out to be a cool $4.5 million for the 26-year-old. The 2023 Players Championship had a record $25 million purse and even the second place finisher (Hatton) walked away with $2.725 million – not too shabby for one week of golf!

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