The 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass will undoubtedly play a large role in determining a winner at this week’s Players Championship, and if Brian Harman is in the mix come Sunday, the hole probably owes him.
Playing a steady even-par round on Thursday at the Stadium Course, Harman stepped up to the 17th tee and got one of the worst breaks you could possibly imagine without actually going into the water.
Here’s a new one.
The trials and tribulations at 17 continue.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/9zZWPuUT88
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 10, 2018
The front left hole position encouraged players to bring the front bulkhead into play, and Harman covered it by less than a yard. Instead of bouncing forward, the ball was lodged between the bulkhead and the grass, but it was technically still in the hazard meaning that Harman would have to play the ball as it lies.
Harman assessed the lie and knew he was in a no-win situation. He gently deposited the ball into the lake guarding the green, returned to the drop area and made a double bogey to shoot 2-over par. Harman is on the outside of the cut line looking in and will have some work to do on Friday to play the weekend.
