The 18th hole at The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is one of the most challenging on the course. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
Published on March 7, 2025 at 1:37 pm
Free local news and info, in your inbox at 6 a.m. M-F. Sign up for the Jacksonville Today newsletter.
The Players Championship tees off at The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass next week. Most of the top men’s golfers on the Official World Golf Rankings will be in Ponte Vedra Beach to compete in the most lucrative 72-hole tournament in golf.
Here is a front nine of things to know before the 52nd tournament begins.
Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one.
Opening drive
Gates will open every day at 7:30 a.m. between Tuesday and Sunday’s final round. Thursday and Friday’s rounds are scheduled to begin at 7:40 a.m.
Saturday’s third round is scheduled to begin at 8:15 a.m. The top of the leaderboard should tee off around 2 p.m.
The final round is slated to tee off at 7:33 a.m. Leaders will not start their rounds until about 1 p.m.
Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one.
Parking sold separately
Parking passes are not included in the price of tickets. Attendees will need to purchase a separate parking pass for each individual date they attend The Players. Parking will not be sold on-site and will be digital.
General parking for Friday and Saturday are currently sold out. Tickets are available to purchase at the tournament’s Ticketmaster site.
Be warned: State Road A1A southbound is busiest between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on tournament dates.
Saving emissions on admission
Rideshares will pick up and drop off near the Couples Entry on ATP Boulevard.
Nocatee, Ponte Vedra Beach and Palm Valley residents can park for free at Palm Valley Academy, Valley Ridge Academy and Pine Island Academy, then take a shuttle to the tournament. The shuttles will operate from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during Players week.
Family friendly fun
As many as two children ages 15 and under can attend for free with a ticketed adult all week long. Children 6 and older will need a ticket to access hospitality venues at TPC Sawgrass.
Nemours Children’s Health is sponsoring a pair of places for the youngest fans to unwind as others watch golf.
In the Kid Zone, children will have access to a coloring wall, photo booth and more. It will be open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. During Thursday’s opening round, it will be open between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. From Friday through Sunday’s final round, the Kid Zone will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
There will also be an Autograph Zone, behind the green at No. 18, where children can receive autographs from players. (There is often a height requirement where entrants into the Autograph Zone over a certain height are not allowed. However, parents and guardians can watch from a short, safe distance away.)
Must be the money
Cash will not be accepted at The Players Championship. All payments throughout TPC Sawgrass will be digital, contactless and cashless during the tournament.
Three-peat?
Scottie Scheffler made history when he became the first person to win The Players Championship in consecutive years. The Texan may not be as scorching hot as he was entering the 2024 tournament, but the world No. 1 is the player to beat at TPC Sawgrass this week.
Only Jack Nicklaus has won The Players thrice. And none of his victories came at The Stadium Course. Scheffler could join The Golden Bear on Sunday evening.
Who is in the field?
The Players has long boasted that it is the deepest field in golf. This year’s contestants include Scheffler, 2024 Open Championship and PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele, and rising star Ludvig Aberg as well as two-time major champion Collin Morikawa and former champions Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Jason Day.
Cooling down on the course
Spectators are allowed to bring a reusable, and empty, plastic or metal cup under 32 ounces.
There will be four places at The Stadium Course to fill those bottles with free water: Nearby No. 10 tee and No. 16 tee; Wine & Dine on Nine (near the No. 9 fairway); behind No. 16 green; Taste of JAX.
Packing at the Players
Fans may bring an opaque bag that is 6 by 6 inches or smaller or a clear bag that is no larger than 12 by 12. Spectators also will be allowed to bring food that is wrapped in clear wrap and inside a 1-gallon plastic bag.
Strollers are allowed as are small diaper bags and other essentials for babies.
