The championship Professional Golf Association tour in Florida continues this week, with many of the top golfers in the world competing for a win in the flagship event at the PGA Swing. It is being held at one of Florida’s big four rotating courses that host PGA championships, which include TPC Sawgrass, Bay Hill, Copperhead and Champions. This year, PGA selected TPC Sawgrass as the home of the tour. 

TPC Sawgrass is located in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, southeast of Jacksonville. Established 42 years ago, back in 1980, it has hosted several TPC Swings. A notoriously difficult 36-hole course, it is known for the par-3, 137-yard 17th, known as the “Island Green,” one of golf’s most recognizable and difficult holes. Additionally, the course has been featured on the well-known “Tiger Woods: PGA Tour” video game series.

Justin Thomas (U.S.) is returning to defend his title from last year and will tee off against 2019’s champion, Rory he McIlroy (N.I.) and current Champion Golfer of the Year Collin Morikawa (U.S.). Other notable competitors  are scattered throughout the Top 50 list from all over the world.

At a time when the National Football League is out of season and Major League Baseball is in the midst of a lockout, many are watching golf for the first time. The final round of the PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational averaged 3.86 million viewers on NBC, the highest for the event in three years. Ratings jumped 41% and viewership went up 49% from last year. This growth comes on the heels of the end of 2021, which saw a spike in yearly viewership of nearly 30%. 

The Players’ Championship itself takes place from Mar. 10 to Mar. 13 and begins at TPC Sawgrass at 6:45 a.m., where it spans most of the day. Again, golf saw a large rise in popularity last year and the growth is expected to continue. Golf fans are eagerly anticipating that date, as it marks the beginning of one of the most significant tournaments in the sport.