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By John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The PGA TOUR has never heard the saying, "if it ain't broke don't fix it."

If it had, THE PLAYERS Championship would still be held in March. In fact, many of the changes to the PGA TOUR schedule this year raised eyebrows initially, but if THE PLAYERS is any indication, so far so good.

Phil Mickelson gives a thumbs-up as he receives THE PLAYERS trophy from 2006 champ Stephen Ames. (Condon/PGA TOUR/WireImage)

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The move to May certainly makes sense in the grand scheme of things. Fitting into the long gap between the first two official majors of the year will further the argument that THE PLAYERS belongs in that category. To the men who are fortunate enough to win the most prestigious event on TOUR, the distinction is one with very little difference.

Adam Scott said he walked with his head held a little higher the year he was known as THE PLAYERS champion. And after his victory Sunday, Phil Mickelson said that at the end of his career, he would probably view THE PLAYERS with the same esteem as his "other" three majors.

The TOUR really couldn't have asked for a better week. The grand opening of the much-discussed clubhouse took place at the beginning of the week. As massive as the structure is, it fits perfectly on the property. Some were expecting it to be a bit ostentatious. The reality is quite the contrary.

Everything about the week fit, from the weather to the drama. For 70 holes, the outcome was in limbo. Then the famed 17th took its toll and reasserted itself as the greatest theater in all of golf. Sean O'Hair, trailing Mickelson by two, was the final victim of the most dramatic hole in the game. Sean can take heart in the fact that he won't be the final prey of the predatory par 3.

When the final putt was holed and Phil was announced as THE PLAYERS champion, bagpipes began their celebratory wail. The Canadian flag that flew behind the practice tee to honor Steven Ames, the 2006 champion, was replaced by Old Glory. It will fly until next May in honor of Phil.

THE PLAYERS has taken a new place on the schedule as the prelude to summer. We are but a month away from the U.S. Open and the dog days of summer. Going forward toward the PGA TOUR playoffs and the first-ever FedExCup, the health and popularity of golf has never been better.

The FedExCup standings seem to be just right. Tiger Woods, Phil and Vijay Singh rank Nos. 1-3 on the list. They are the only three multiple winners on TOUR this year. There is no question that the playoffs will add excitement to the finish of the PGA TOUR season.

If Phil can maintain the level of play that he achieved at THE PLAYERS more often, we may finally have the long-awaited rival for Tiger. That is one of the many questions that will be asked and answered this summer.

If THE PLAYERS is any indication of the excitement that we are in for, it should be quite a ride.