The Players Championship, going on this week at the famed TPC Sawgrass, has often been referred to as a “fifth major” of sorts in professional golf. Apart from the current four championships – the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open, and PGA Championship – the Players arguably draws the most attention from any of the annual tournaments. So should it be granted status as an official major championship?

One of the big reasons it could become an official major in the future is the prestige of the tournament. The Players boasts the largest purse on the PGA Tour, with the winner receiving almost the same amount of points toward his world ranking as he would with a current major. Players champions also get exemptions & invitations to the four championships. Then there’s the television broadcast quality to the tournament. Although NBC airs multiple PGA Tour events, there’s a special factor used for the Players, the Ryder Cup, and, in the past, the U.S. Open that lets fans know this is a unique event; CBS has a similar approach for how they present the Masters and the PGA Championship. Viewers are aware this is an tournament that can grab the attention of the most casual golf fan, in a manner that few other tournaments on the Tour right now can.

One of the negatives to a fifth major is it could diminish the importance of a major championship in general. In the Players’ case, the timing of the tournament – in between the Masters and U.S. Open – could make it difficult for golfers coming off a disappointing week at Augusta to gear up for a major at Sawgrass, and then prepare for a U.S. Open. That leads to another significant issue: the desire to hold a major at the same course year after year. The Masters is staged at Augusta National Golf Club annually as a tradition, but the U.S. Open and PGA Championship are, in a way, not just about showcasing outstanding golf, but the outstanding courses this country has to offer; the same goes for the Open Championship in Great Britain.

With these and other factors to consider on both sides, what do you think of the potential of an official fifth major in golf? Vote below!