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THE PLAYERS Championship: Day 1 at the 17th hole

By Mike Randleman

May 11, 2017; Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA; (Editors note: tilt-shift lens was used to create this image) Anirban Lahiri putts on the Stadium Course signature hole the 17th, known simply as the Island Green during the first round of The Players Championship golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2017; Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA; (Editors note: tilt-shift lens was used to create this image) Anirban Lahiri putts on the Stadium Course signature hole the 17th, known simply as the Island Green during the first round of The Players Championship golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports /
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The TPC Sawgrass’s iconic 17th hole set the tone of THE PLAYERS Championship

THE PLAYERS Championship is just getting started and already it’s typically action-packed. Much of that action revolves around the infamous, devilish, engaging, terrifying TPC Sawgrass17th hole.

You, like me, might have thought the best highlight at the famed TPC Sawgrass No 17 island green came before the first round. That’s when Rickie Fowler drained one, in Wednesday’s practice round, leaving chagrined playing partner Justin Thomas wondering where he went wrong hitting his own shot to inches from the cup.

Shot of the day

We were wrong.

It’s actually Sergio García’s world now and we’re all just living in it. He notched an ace at No. 17 that pairs nicely with his green jacket. The Masters Champ is at one-over-par and five strokes off the pace.

García’s good vibes ran out soon, though, as Adam Scott followed it up with a water ball.

For our Spanish-speaking friends, here’s a fun call en español of the ace:

Trials and tribulations

Sometimes the feeling of relief can be as exhilarating as the feeling of excitement. If Robert Garrigus rallies to make the cut from his position of 109th at three-over-par, he’ll have a bit of luck on his second tee shot at 17 to attribute to it.

Garrigus can take solace with 17 others finding the drink at 17 Thursday. Further, he’s thanking his lucky stars he wasn’t one of two to hit it in twice.

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The honor of dunking two shots Thursday goes to Bryce Molder. Fortunately for the one-time Tour winner, a lack of video evidence on the interwebs will spare him further shame.

On the bright side, Molder turned a disaster into a six on the scorecard and played the rest of his round in one-under par for a 74 and tied for 83rd.

How the defending champ fared

Jason Day hit the 17th green for the fifth straight time, a feat many players wish they could claim. Alas, perhaps some frustration remains from his fourth straight par. He just narrowly missed a putt from 32′ 10″ for birdie today.

How to watch

A cool new feature for this year’s coverage of the 17th includes being able to watch the hole in 360-degree virtual reality. Visit here for more information on how to pull off some pretty futuristic stuff right from your living room.

A livestream of the 17th hole is also available on PGA Tour Live from noon to 7 p.m. EDT.

Next: Potpourri of names at the top at the PLAYERS

What will Friday bring at the 17th hole? Another ace? How Many water balls? Stay tuned. THE PLAYERS Championship is just getting started.

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