The island green at the 17th hole of TPC Sawgrass has become one of the most iconic venues in golf. It is also one that welcomes big scores, as Kevin Na found out on Thursday.
Na was already having a tough time in the first round of the Players Championship when he arrived to the 17th. But his round got worse in a hurry.
The 37-year-old hit his first three tee shots in the water. Na finally elected to head to the drop area, where he nearly flipped a wedge into the drink.
Such a blowup surely had to conclude with fireworks. Na provided those fireworks, chipping in for one of the most glorious quintuple-bogeys golf fans have surely ever witnessed.
Article Continues BelowThe drama was far from over, however. That snowman put Na at +8 for the round. He then bogeyed the 18th to shoot 81, and promptly withdrew from the tournament. Na cited a bad back, but the 81 probably made things quite a bit easier.
The roller coaster sort of epitomized Na's career at the Players, one that includes multiple WDs and a number of top-10 finishes.
In perhaps a cruel and humorous twist, Byeong Hun An made an 11 on the 17th just minutes after Na's collapse. Suffice to say, the 17th is playing tricks on the players in Thursday's opening round.
Tour veteran Sergio Garcia sure wasn't fooled by much at Sawgrass on Thursday. The fiery Spaniard has the early lead after carding a round of 65. Three players are currently tied for second at four under (-4) par.