Ryan Fox of New Zealand celebrates after holing his tee shot on the 17th hole for a hole in one during the first round of The Players Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. Photo / Getty
Kiwi golfer Ryan Fox has made history at one of the most famous holes in golf. In his first appearance at the Players Championship, Fox aced the island green 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass during today’s opening round.
The hole-in-one came after he carded an eagle on the 16th, becoming the first player to ever go eagle-eagle at the tournament. It was the world number 44’s first ace on the PGA Tour, in his maiden season. The event has a US$25m ($40.7m) prize pool.
Fox hit his tee shot by the flag on the 124-yard par three and it rolled back into the hole. He raised his arms to a big celebration from the gallery.
Fox became the 14th player to make a hole-in-one on the 17th during tournament play - it happened three times last year.
“It’s such an iconic hole, and it’s an intimidating shot. I don’t care who you are. You get up there, most of the crowd probably either wants you to make a one or hit it in the water, so I’m glad to be on the right side of it in that respect,” Fox said after his round.
Playing for the first time at TPC Sawgrass, Fox started on the back nine and carded an early birdie at the par five 11th. But back-to-back bogeys at the 14th and 15th saw him slip to one-over. However, he recovered with a brilliant eagle at the par five 16th, landing his second from 180 yards out to within two feet of the hole.
That was followed by the ace at the 17th. After two eagles, three bogeys and a birdie across his first nine holes, it was a more regular finish to his round with eight pars and a birdie.
Fox finished carding a first round three-under 69 to put him in an early share of 12th. Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele are the early clubhouse leaders at seven-under.
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