The near-island green at TPC Sawgrass’ 17th hole has served up some of golf’s truly memorable non-Major moments.
We say “near-island” because technically the putting surface isn’t completely surrounded by water – there is a narrow walkway at its rear-left edge. And more often than you think it should, that walkway is where tee shots come to rest. The players initially think its a great reprieve from the water, but occasionally this grassy strip provides problems of its own.
Matt Kuchar found himself in such a predicament a few years ago during the Players Championship. After summing up his options, the ever-smiling American did this:
Sometimes you have to think outside the box on 17 …#TOURVault pic.twitter.com/NN9o9gtr7s
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 9, 2017
Kuchar didn’t save par – but he did save face.