Golfer Adam Hadwin’s Long-Awaited Encounter with The Players Championship’s Infamous Water Hazard
Golfer Adam Hadwin, known for his impressive record of avoiding the water hazards at TPC Sawgrass’ renowned par-three 17th hole during The Players Championship, experienced a setback on Thursday. After building up momentum with a birdie at the 16th, Hadwin saw his tee shot at the penultimate hole unexpectedly plunge into the lake, marking the end of his admirable streak.
Throughout more than four decades, countless PGA Tour professionals have witnessed their tee shots meet a similar fate at the 17th hole’s iconic island green. However, Hadwin, a native of Canada, had managed to evade this misfortune in all 28 of his previous visits to the famed hole.
The day took a turn for the worse when Hadwin’s 14-foot putt for par missed its mark by a mere inch, leaving him with a double-bogey. Frustration soon turned to anger as Hadwin’s next approach shot took an unpredictable bounce and soared over the 18th green, ultimately landing in the water. In a fit of rage, Hadwin flung his 8-iron into the lake alongside his ball and club.
Hadwin’s wife, Jessica, shared her perspective on the incident, expressing her amusement with a post on social media that read, “If I’m going simply on the aesthetic of the toss … 10/10.” Despite his unfortunate round, Hadwin managed to hole out for bogey and ended up with a three-over 75 overall. He trailed the day one leaders, Wyndham Clark, Xander Schauffele, and Rory McIlroy, by ten shots.
McIlroy, who also experienced some watery mishaps during his first round, shared the frustrations of Hadwin as he navigated through the challenging course.
Club manufacturer Callaway responded to Hadwin’s situation by sending a replacement 8-iron to reach him before his afternoon tee off on Friday. In the past, Hadwin’s wife has humorously addressed her husband’s misfortunes. After a security guard mistook Hadwin for a spectator and hit him while celebrating friend Nick Taylor’s win at the Canadian Open, Jessica joked that her husband was “still among the land of the living.”
During Friday’s second round, American golfer Beau Hossler achieved a record-breaking feat by hitting the 1000th ball into the water at the 17th hole since ShotLink tracking began in 2003. Ten players had experienced the misfortune of hitting their tee shots into the water during the first round, but New Zealand’s Ryan Fox made history by acing the hole and becoming the 14th golfer to do so in Players Championship history.
