You probably didn’t even notice it, but the PGA Tour shrewdly reignited the “is the Players Championship the fifth major?” debate on social media Thursday evening. As Golf.com’s Dylan Dethier pointed out on X/Twitter, there’s a line that flashes at the very end of this ad that, if you blink, you might miss:
Seems like the PGA Tour wants the “5th major” debate back on.
The Players Championship just dropped this new ad. Should get you fired up for TPC Sawgrass — but it’s the half-second at the end that’s going to raise eyebrows:
“March is going to be major.”pic.twitter.com/qIIX2jpvUq
— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) February 5, 2026
“MARCH IS GOING TO BE MAJOR” … annnnndddd …. scene.
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Maybe it’s nothing, or maybe there is a clear message being sent. The key thing the 30-second spot did, though, was get the people talking, as all great advertisements do.
One of those people was PGA Tour winner Michael Kim, who has not shied away from sharing his thoughts on social media over the last few years. It’s certainly helped his profile among the casual golf fan, but it can also invite plenty of haters when he wades into controversial waters.
Among casuals and diehards alike, this take undoubtedly fell into the “controversial bucket”:
I’d honestly be prouder of winning the Players over the PGA. (As if I get to choose I know haha)
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) February 6, 2026
From the perspective of a player, this doesn’t seem that out of bounds, and we’d be willing to bet there are a lot of guys who feel the same way but would never voice it. The Players Championship has had a major championship feel for several years now, and the winner’s prize money payout of $4.5 million outpaces the winner’s share at the PGA Championship by more than $1 million (Scottie Scheffler earned $3.42 million at Quail Hollow last May). Since the Players move back to March, the list of winners is the elite of the elite, and the Augusta-like conditions and aesthetics of the golf course have given the tournament a major look and feel.
Of course, not everyone agrees on that:
You do a ton of good stuff for the game MK, but nobody thinks you actually believe this
— Jake Sirkus (@JakeSirkus) February 6, 2026
Stop it Mike
— gwilk44 (@gwilk44) February 6, 2026
Really???
You’d give up history as a Major winner to win an elevated PGA Tour Title?
— Par and Paddock – HRR Pro (@parandpaddock) February 6, 2026
You’re trippin.
— Andrew (@djbigblack85) February 6, 2026
With all due respect to Mr. Kim, a player I certainly enjoy following, but this take is actually bat shit insane.
History remembers the green Wiki squares good sir. https://t.co/oa4hivPal2
— Tom & Marty's (@tomandmartys) February 6, 2026
To each their own.
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This article was originally published on golfdigest.com

