The 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, known as the “Island Green”, is one of the most iconic and feared par-3s in the world of golf. At just 137 yards long, its water-surrounded design and exposure to the wind make it a psychological and technical challenge even for the best players on the planet. In the history of THE PLAYERS Championship, the flagship tournament of the PGA Tour, this hole has witnessed epic moments, from memorable holes-in-one to disasters that have changed the course of championships. However, there is one day that stands out above all: 10 May 2007, when 50 balls ended up in the water during the first round, setting the single-day record in the ShotLink era (since 2003).
A Thursday of chaos in Ponte Vedra Beach
The 2007 edition of THE PLAYERS Championship marked a milestone as it was the first time the tournament was held in May, moving from its traditional date in March. This change brought warmer weather conditions and, on that opening Thursday, relentless wind that turned the 17th hole into a true nightmare. According to PGA Tour records, which began tracking detailed data with ShotLink in 2003, no other day has seen so many balls succumb to the lake surrounding the island-shaped green.
The wind, blowing with gusts reaching significant speeds (gusts of 60 kilometres per hour), disrupted the players’ calculations. What normally requires a precise wedge or 9-iron turned into a lottery. The world’s best golfers, accustomed to mastering courses of maximum difficulty, were overwhelmed by a hole that, in theory, should not present such a complication. By the end of the day, the 17th hole recorded an average of 3.33 strokes, playing as the second most difficult on the course in that round, only surpassed by the always demanding 18th hole.
Numbers that tell the story
The total of 50 balls in the water in a single round remains the absolute record in THE PLAYERS Championship since modern data has been kept. To put it in perspective, throughout the 2007 edition, 93 balls were counted in the water on the 17th hole over the four rounds, the highest number recorded in a single tournament. That initial Thursday accounted for more than half of that total, a clear indication of the extreme conditions the players faced.
The impact was measured not only in lost balls but also in inflated scores. Players like Sergio García, who would go on to win the tournament the following year after a playoff against Paul Goydos, managed to survive the chaos of the day, but others were not so fortunate. Stories of double bogeys and even worse results multiplied, feeding the legend of the “Island Green” as an unforgiving judge in professional golf.
Why was that day so brutal?
Several factors conspired to make 10 May 2007 an unforgettable day in the history of TPC Sawgrass. First, the date change to May brought windier and less predictable weather than in March, affecting players’ ability to control the distance and direction of their shots. Second, the pin position. On such a small green, with little room for error, a pin placed near the edge multiplies the difficulties.
Finally, the psychological factor cannot be underestimated. The 17th hole, with its intimidating design and location near the end of the course, already carries inherent pressure. Adding gusty wind to the equation made many players doubt their decisions, opting for more conservative shots that ended up short or deflected by the force of the air.
A legacy that endures
Since that historic day, the record of 50 balls in the water has been threatened but never surpassed. For example, in the first round of 2021, 35 balls were recorded in the water, the second-highest total in a single day, while in 2022, with winds up to 62 kilometres per hour, Saturday saw 29 balls sink.
For golf fans, this record is a reminder that even the most skilled professionals can fall victim to nature and the ingenuity of Pete Dye, the architect behind TPC Sawgrass. For players, it is a warning: underestimating the 17th hole, even for a moment, can have disastrous consequences.
As THE PLAYERS Championship continues to be held each year, 10 May 2007 remains a legendary chapter, a day when the 17th hole not only challenged the world’s best but defeated many of them. Will that record of 50 balls ever be broken?
*Article made with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence
