Players 2026: Why this 550-pound tuna is part of a critical TPC Sawgrass tradition

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There’s a pretty impressive menu if you’re on the grounds at TPC Sawgrass for the Players Championship. There’s Taste of JAX, which features a selection of popular Jacksonville restaurants, from Cousins Maine Lobster to Ajua Mexican Kitchen. Maybe you’re more in the mood for an always-appetizing Blackstone griddle smashburger right behind No. 16, or something from the food trucks by the 10th tee. But if you want something special … really special, we might have an idea for you. If you’re willing to pay, that is.

For $11,000, you can get an all-inclusive weekly pass, which has quickly become one of the hottest premium purchases in golf. There are only 750 passes, and they include valet parking, limited-edition merchandise and ultra-exclusive dining, including a fresh giant tuna from the other side of the Atlantic.

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“Every year, a giant tuna is delivered to TPC Sawgrass to serve at the exclusive Players Club, which costs $11,000 for a weekly pass,” reported David Rumsey of Front Office Sports. “This year’s tuna was a 550-pounder caught off the coast of Spain earlier this week.”

Why exactly they went abroad instead of fishing around Florida, we don’t yet know. But this annual tradition is definitely a bonus for those looking to shell out on the all-inclusive Players pass. You certainly can’t get that at the Jacksonville Red Lobster!

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James Gilbert

We know that the Players Championship is working hard to become the fifth major, and majors are renowned for obscure traditions and pretty random but vital rules. An annual 500-plus-pound tuna just for the fun of it is certainly a new golf custom, and one that we’d love to try if anyone out there has $11,000 burning a hole in their pocket.

This article was originally published on golfdigest.com