Sunday began with a bang at thePlayers Championship After 2 aces currently today on TPC Sawgrass’ famous par-3 17th, Alex Smalley included a record 3rd hole-in-one on the island eco-friendly.
His tee shot one-hopped off the edge as well as never ever also touched the eco-friendly as it soaked right into the mug. This is the initial year there’s been greater than one hole-in-one on the 17th throughout the Players.
And while there is never ever not a fun time for an ace, Smalley’s hole-in-one was particularly prompt after he made a double-bogey 7 on 16 prior to tipping to the tee. Smalley began the round in a connection for 57th as well as was playing in the 9th team of the day with Jerry Kelly (that completed the event under the same level at age 56) for the 2nd round straight.
The ace obtained him back to also par for the event, however he could not remain there, as he drove it in the trees on 18 as well as made bogey.
Smalley’s ace comes throughout what was currently the initial week with numerous aces on 17 in Players Championship background. Hayden Buckley obtained the event going on Thursday, as well as on Saturday Aaron Rai utilized the incline behind the front-left opening area to rotate his sphere back right into the mug as well as obtain within yelling range of the leaders. Rai after that birdied 18 to end up being the initial gamer ever before to surface 4-1-3 (birdie-ace- birdie) on the Stadium Course’s last 3 openings. Buckley as well as Rai are the only players in event background ever before to birdie 18 after making a hole-in-one on 17.
Smalley’s ace included maybe one of the most challenging opening area, the conventional Sunday place of back appropriate. Instead of taking it left of the little shelter before the eco-friendly as well as making use of the incline, the 26-year-old took a straight line at the flag, virtually capturing the shelter.
The ace was simply the 13th on the popular par-3 at the Players, the initial can be found in 1986 by Brad Fabel.
