The par-3 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass’ Stadium course is one of the most famous holes in the world.
The island green is one of the most recognizable signature holes in golf, and it’s a pivotal challenge down the stretch of the Players Championship, the flagship event on the PGA Tour in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Its scorecard yardage is listed at 137 yards, but don’t let the length fool you. The green, surrounded by water outside of the small strip to walk to the green, is one of the most intimidating shots the best players in the world face every year.
However, a handful of professionals have achieved one of the rarest feats on one of the most difficult holes: a hole-in-one.
Here’s a look at the 13 golfers who have made an ace on the 17th at the Players Championship, including three in 2023.
Brad Fabel hits the ball during the Players Championship at the TPC of Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Gary Newkirk /Allsport
The first ace in Players history happened in 1986, thanks to Brad Fabel. It happened in the first round, but unfortunately, he missed the cut.
Chez Reavie of the United States talks with rules official, Brian Claar, on the fourth hole during the second round of THE PLAYERS Championship on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 10, 2023 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
The second ace came courtesy of Brian Claar in the third round in 1991. His 8-iron landed past the pin and spun back into the hole.
Fred Couples watches the ball fly during the Shell Houston Open at the TPC at the Woodlands in Houston, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
Fred Couples made the third ace in the final round in 1997, the ball landing in the middle of the green and using the slope to move right and drip into the cup.
Joey Sindelar swings during the Shell Houston Open at TPC at the Woodlands, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
Sindelar’s ball landed just past the cup and spun back into the hole in the opening round of the 1999 Players. It moved him from 1 over to 1 under on the day.
Paul Azinger watches his third shot on the seventh hole during the third round of The Players Championship at the TPC at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedre, Florida. Digital Image. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire/ALLSPORT
The former broadcaster hit the third ace in four years, using a 9-iron that bounced twice before trickling over the front edge of the cup in the third round.
Miguel Jimenez of Spain lines up a putt on the second hole, 11 April 2002, during the opening round for the 2002 Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, GA. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
Sensing a theme here? Jimenez hit his shot just past the hole, and it spun back to give him the sixth ace in the history of the Players.
Will Wilcox of the United States plays his shot from the 11th tee during the second round of THE PLAYERS Championship at the Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass on May 13, 2016 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
For 14 years, no one hit an ace at the famed island green. Will Wilcox changed that with his shot in the second round that hopped once before rolling in the front of the cup. The celebration was incredible.
Sergio Garcia of Spain celebrates his hole in one on the 17th during the first round of THE PLAYERS Championship at the Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass on May 11, 2017 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Sergio Garcia’s golf ball bounced twice, the second one almost hopping in the hole, before the ball spun back and into the cup.
Ryan Moore of the United States plays his shot from the fifth tee during the second round of The PLAYERS Championship on The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 15, 2019 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Moore dunked his shot during the opening round of the 2019 Players.
Shane Lowry of Ireland plays his second shot on the par 4, seventh hole during the weather delayed completion of the second round of the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass on March 13, 2022 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
In the third round, Lowry’s ball landed just past the hole and spun back before doing nearly a 360 around the cup and dropping. And Lowry’s celebration was great.
Hayden Buckley of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the first round of THE PLAYERS Championship on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 09, 2023 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The first of three aces in the 2023 Players, Buckley hit his in the first round and paraded around the water and onto the green in celebration.
Aaron Rai of England celebrates his hole-in-one on the 17th tee during the third round of THE PLAYERS Championship on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 11, 2023 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Two days after Buckley’s one, Rai had one of his own in the third round, finding the hole from 122 yards out.
Alex Smalley watches his shot from the 3rd tee during the second round of THE PLAYERS Championship golf tournament. (Photo: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports)
Another day, another ace at the Players. Smalley made it three holes-in-one in the 2023 Players when he made the 13th in history in the final round.
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