Ryan Fox Achieves Hole-in-One at The Players Championship, Joining Elite Group
The storied history of golf’s prestigious The Players Championship has witnessed only a privileged few accomplish the remarkable feat of an ace at the iconic par-three 17th hole. New Zealand’s Ryan Fox added his name to this esteemed list on Thursday, making it the first hole-in-one of the tournament this year.
Fox’s day at TPC Sawgrass began with a relatively quiet start. After carding one-over par through the first six holes of his opening round, he found himself in a position that was not extraordinary but far from dismal. However, things took an unexpected turn for the better after an impressive eagle at the 17th hole.
Perfect Tee Shot Leads to Historic Moment
With a perfect tee shot that soared directly over the water and landed on the green, Fox clinched his first-ever hole-in-one on the PGA Tour. The crowd erupted in cheers as he watched the ball roll toward the cup and then disappear, leaving behind only the echoes of excitement.
As if one hole-in-one wasn’t enough, Fox continued his exceptional play at the par-five 16th hole. A remarkable approach shot of just shy of 180 yards left him with a few feet to the cup, setting up yet another eagle for this surprising round.
Fox Makes History with Back-to-Back Eagles
The Kiwi golfer became the first player in The Players Championship’s 50-year history to make back-to-back eagles on any two holes. This extraordinary moment further solidified his place in the annals of this major tournament.
Recent Surge in Holes-in-One at TPC Sawgrass’s 17th Hole
The iconic island green of the par-three 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass has seen a surge in aces recently. Following a period with only three holes-in-one recorded from over 7,400 tee shots between 2000 and 2016, there have now been a total of eight aces on the hole across the last nine editions of the tournament.
Record-Breaking Year for Holes-in-One
The year 2023 saw a record three aces on the 17th hole alone, with Hayden Buckley, Aaron Rai, and Alex Smalley all achieving this remarkable feat. This trend continued as Scottie Scheffler went on to claim a five-stroke victory.
Fox Looks Ahead to First PGA Tour Victory
Despite a bogey at the 18th hole, Fox completed his first round at two-under par. With four career victories on the contact DP World Tour under his belt, Fox is now poised to make history with a first victory on the PGA Tour at this major event.
The Players Championship: The Richest Prize in Regular Season-PGA Tour
This year’s champion of the tournament will receive a $4.5 million cut from the $25 million prize purse – the largest in any regular season-PGA Tour event, surpassing even that of last year’s major championships.
