Butler's Jimmy Elis putts on 18 while Jay Woodward watches during the U.S. Open local qualifier Wednesday, May 10, 2017, at Butler Country Club.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — The Players Championship attracts the strongest and deepest field in golf. In its 43-year history, all but 10 winners of the PGA Tour’s premier event have captured a major championship.

It also might be the most difficult to handicap.

Rory McIlroy didn’t break par at the TPC Sawgrass until his fourth appearance in The Players, including the year after he won the U.S. Open. At least he has steadily improved with four straight years no worse than a tie for 12th, though he has never contended on the back nine Sunday.

Dustin Johnson has played 26 rounds on the Players Stadium Course since 2008 and he has broken 70 only twice.