The PGA Tour heads to TPC Sawgrass for The Players Championship, its $25 million flagship event. Defending champion Rory McIlroy returns to defend his title after defeating J.J. Spaun in a Monday playoff last year. The field includes 123 players competing for $4.5 million and 750 FedEx Cup points.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler leads the rankings after his 20th PGA Tour victory at the American Express. The four-time major champion seeks to become only the second three-time Players winner, joining Jack Nicklaus. Rory McIlroy's health remains a major storyline after he withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to back spasms.

Tommy Fleetwood, Xander Schauffele, and Collin Morikawa round out the top five contenders. Fleetwood comes off his first PGA Tour victory at last season's Tour Championship, while Schauffele returns from a rib injury. Morikawa recently switched to a mallet putter and won at Pebble Beach. With defending champion McIlroy's status uncertain and multiple strong contenders in form, this year's Players Championship promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.