Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida — March 14, 2024. Ryan Fox makes history with a rare ace on the iconic 17th at THE PLAYERS — the first ever after a previous double. A moment of pure brilliance.
🔥 Acetroduction
Ryan Fox etched his name into THE PLAYERS Championship history with a spectacular hole-in-one on the infamous 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass. With swirling winds and the pressure of a major-caliber event, the Kiwi delivered a perfect strike that spun back into the cup — and into the record books
According to NBC Sports, Fox is the first player ever to record an ace on the island green after already carding a double bogey there in a previous round. That rare stat highlights not just his precision, but his remarkable ability to bounce back.
🕳️ A Defining Shot on the Island Green
The 17th at TPC Sawgrass is one of golf’s most iconic and intimidating par-3s — surrounded by water and swirling wind. On Thursday, Fox stepped up with a 50-degree wedge from 128 yards and watched as his ball landed beyond the flag, zipped backwards, and tracked straight into the hole.
As Golf Digest described it, “it was the kind of shot every golfer dreams about hitting at least once in their lifetime.” The crowd erupted. Fox raised both arms, smiling in disbelief.
📊 Leaderboard Impact
Fox was +1 for the round at the time of the ace, and the hole-in-one brought him back to even par. Though it didn’t catapult him into contention, it was a clear momentum boost. The New Zealander went on to finish the round at 71 (–1), giving him a solid position going into Friday.
As CNN reported, this was just the 14th hole-in-one ever recorded on the 17th during the tournament’s long and dramatic history — a testament to both the difficulty of the hole and the brilliance of Fox’s execution.
🌍 Global Buzz and Reactions
Golf fans and players alike took to social media to celebrate the ace. The shot was replayed across every major broadcast and quickly made headlines internationally. Golf Monthly hailed it as “the shot of the day,” while Yahoo Sports highlighted the statistical rarity of making an ace on that exact hole.
Fox, known for his composed demeanor and ball-striking prowess, downplayed the moment after the round. “It’s one of those shots that could go very wrong, and today it went very right,” he joked in his post-round interview with NBC Sports.
🏆 What’s Next for Fox?
With his ace making headlines around the world, Ryan Fox now carries some serious momentum into the rest of the tournament — and into the season. A proven winner on the DP World Tour, he’s no stranger to high-stakes golf. But this moment at THE PLAYERS may be the most iconic shot of his career to date.
Regardless of his final standing this week, Ryan Fox’s hole-in-one on 17 will live on as one of the most unforgettable moments in THE PLAYERS Championship history.
