‘The 5th Major’ The Players "What is the key to victory?"..."Conquer the 17th hole"

The Ultimate Challenge is the 137-yard 17th Hole: "Island Green + Wind," the 'Death Hole' that claims an average of 46 balls each year

The 17th hole at SoGlaes TPC, the battleground of 'The 5th Major' The Players Championship.

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyunjun] "The curse of the 17th hole."

The battleground of The Players Championship (total prize money $15 million), known as the '5th Major,' at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA (par 72, 7,189 yards) is undoubtedly the 17th hole (par 3). It is worth noting that the hole is only 137 yards long. Players can use a pitching wedge comfortably, but the problem is the island green. Even a slightly off shot can fly into the water, causing a fatal blow. It has earned the notorious nickname 'The Death Hole.'

The 'Returned Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods (USA) actually made a double bogey on the second day in 2019, halting his march to victory. His sand wedge shot was short and landed in the water, and although he barely got the ball onto the green from the 'drop zone,' he missed a 3-meter par putt. He bowed his head saying, "The wind direction suddenly changed after the ball flew well." The constantly changing wind is a variable. Added to this is the pressure of winning, which leads to careless shots.

Over the past 16 years, an average of 47 balls have been lost here annually. Sean O'Hair is a representative 'sacrificial lamb.' In 2007, he led by one stroke on the final day but lost four strokes after his ball went into the water hazard twice, handing the winner's cup to Phil Mickelson. Paul Goydos (both USA) lost bitterly in a playoff against Sergio Garcia (Spain) in 2008 due to a tee shot mistake. Garcia also lost to Woods with a 4-over-par in 2013.

The 17th hole at SoGraes TPC, the battleground of 'the fifth major' The Players Championship, features an island green with wind adding to the challenge.

The PGA Tour changed the playoff format of this tournament in 2014 to a cumulative score over three holes (16th to 18th), and if the winner is still undecided, the sudden death is decided on the 17th hole instead of the last 18th hole (par 4). The 16th hole (523 yards), which is easy and encourages a '2-on' attack, is placed before the 17th hole, and the difficult 18th hole (462 yards), which curves left, is placed after, so the champion is born over the final three holes. A birdie on the 16th hole and pars on the 17th and 18th holes are ideal.

'Tank' K.J. Choi (51, SK Telecom) secured a safe 'winning par' on the 17th hole (par 3) during the first playoff hole against David Toms (USA) in 2011 when he won. He explained, "The surroundings were all lakes, so the pressure was huge," and "I aimed for the center of the green entirely." Ricky Fowler (USA) drew the spotlight in 2015 by making three birdies on the 17th hole alone during the final 4th round. He birdied the 4th round, the playoff, and the sudden death all on this hole.

The 12th hole (par 4) is another famous hole. The teeing ground was moved forward to create a signature hole where a '1-on' is possible at 358 yards. Naturally, a large rectangular bunker is located on the left side of the fairway, and a lake is tightly adjacent to the left side of the green, adding a 'spectacle' where even a slightly hooked shot costs at least one stroke. All 18 holes are planted with ultra-dwarf Bermuda grass, and on the final day, the greens are especially firmed up to create a 'glass plate green.'