Ryan Fox of New Zealand celebrates after holing his tee shot on the 17th hole for a hole in one during the first round of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, 2024 Photo: AFP
Ryan Fox said he was chuffed to have recorded a rare feat in golf, hitting a hole in one.
Fox aced the iconic 17th Island Green hole at the $40 million Players Championship in Florida.
The 37-year-old New Zealander etched his name into the history books as he became just the 14th player to record a hole-in-one at the 17th at the Players Championship.
"When it landed and came back I thought this has got a chance," Fox told the media afterwards.
"They don't go in very often so it was nice to have one go in and to have that many people there to witness it is pretty cool."
Fox felt the hole was set-up well for him with the pin at the front of the green.
"It was a nice gap wedge and you know you have a little bit of a backstop there and I was pretty chuffed to look up and see it going down the flag.
"Obviously a little bit of luck for it to come back down the slope and actually go in, but I'm certainly not complaining."
In 2005 Bob Tway hit four balls into the water on the hole and finished with the highest score ever, a 12.
Fox agreed that the 17th can be a challenge.
"It's an intimidating shot, I don't care who you are you get up there and most of the crowd probably want you to make a one or hit it in the water, so I'm glad to be on the right side of it in that respect."
He also became the first player ever to record back-to-back eagles on 16 and 17.
He finished with a three under par 69 which currently has him tied for 13th.
Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy are the club house leaders.
The Players Championship is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with Scottie Scheffler the defending champion.
New Zealand's Craig Perks won the tournament in 2002.
This year's winner will pocket $7.3 million.