'I Consider It A Major' - Ryder Cup Star Wades In On Players Championship Debate

The PGA Tour's Flagship Event, The Players Championship, is almost upon us but, before then, there's the matter of a Signature Event - the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Going into the week, Russell Henley defends the title from 12 months ago and, speaking at a pre-tournament press conference, the American was asked about whether next week's event at TPC Sawgrass should fall under the Major category, something that has been an ongoing argument for a while.

Speaking at Bay Hill Club & Lodge prior to his Arnold Palmer Invitational defense, Henley stated: "I mean, I think it's a Major. It's our home tournament. I don't know the statistics on like what they say, like best field in golf or whatever, but, I mean, it is.

"And (there's) the history with that tournament. I mean, I've always considered that a Major in my mind. It's just such a tricky golf course and it rewards great shots, typically. It visually is very intimidating. I feel like if you have a good week there you've done a lot of really good things.

"You look at the past champions and nobody is really, it hasn't really favored any one player. People typically don't win it back-to-back, unless you're Scottie (Scheffler). But it's, yeah, it's a tournament I always look forward to, I love the challenge of it and I consider it a Major."

Back in February, during the WM Phoenix Open, Brandel Chamblee made a bold Players Championship claim, even going as far as to say it's "above all the other four Major championships."

Discussing various topics at TPC Scottsdale during the PGA Tour event, Chamblee explained how the strength of the field and the history of The Players Championship warrants it to be a Major, with the Golf Channel Analyst making a number of points throughout.

"They’re meant to be harder events to win, because of the pressure, because of the setup, because, you know, everything’s right on the line... By virtue of the fact that only one person in its 50 year history has managed to successfully defend it, I would argue that it is the hardest Major championship to win...

"Since it moved (The Players Championship) to TPC Sawgrass, which, in my estimation, save one hole, is perhaps arguably the best golf course that they play a Major championship on from a shot value perspective.

"You can talk about aesthetics all you want, risk-reward holes, certainly, but I’m talking about a shot value standpoint. You can't touch TPC Sawgrass."

That final point of Chamblee's is also something Henley agrees with as, speaking on Tuesday from the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the US Ryder Cup player stated: "I mean, winning there (TPC Sawgrass), when you win on a golf course like that, with that kind of history, I mean it proves you can do it anywhere.

"Those closing holes are really tough, I would imagine, when you're carrying a lead."

Turning attention to this week, Henley is searching to become the first player to defend the title since Matt Every in 2014-15.

"Matt, you got any tips for me?" joked Henley in his press conference, as he added "I took three and a half months off in the fall. This will be my fifth event this year. So I feel like I'm starting to feel a little better and get more and more clarity about the game.

"I'm excited to be in Florida and playing this tournament. I think it's going to be a good weather week. It's going to be warmer than it was on the West Coast. I'm excited to play a firm golf course. I just love the challenge of this place. So I'm really excited."