Watch: Sergio Garcia Sinks Hole-In-One On Hole No. 17 At Players’ Championship 2017

by Pablo MenaMay 12, 2017, 1:45 pmDaily Digest, News, Z-Home Slider >

Sergio Garcia stunned everyone at the Players’ Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida on Thursday by sinking a hole-in-one on the notorious 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass.

Watch: Sergio Garcia Makes Ace On 17th Hole at TPC Sawgrass

The Spaniard, who defeated Justin Rose in a playoff to win the Masters at Augusta last month, was four over par on Thursday when he stepped up to the 16th tee. Garcia, 37, birdied that par-5 hole and then drove spectators into a frenzy by firing a perfect 52-feet wedge. The moment, reminiscent of the Spaniard’s 2008 Players’ Championship victory, marked the second straight year that a golfer recorded an ace at the tournament, with Willy Wilcox having made a hole-in-one at Sawgrass in 2016.

Before Wilcox’s ace, a hole-in-one hadn’t been accomplished at Ponte Vedra Beach since 2002:

“I mean, I hit a good shot, but it can go there, it can go three yards past. I don’t know, it can do anything,” said Garcia, who says he has 12 aces, five in tournament play. “It was nice to see it bounce and kind of spin back into the hole. Maybe because I needed it after the start I had. It kind of made quite a poor round into — not a great round but a decent round. If I have a good day tomorrow, I’ll still be in good shape.”

The 2008 Players Championship winner then hit a headstrong drive on the 18th hole. After returning to the fairway, however, he got up and down from 55 yards to post an opening 73.

“The feeling was great,” Garcia stated of being declared the Masters champion. “I was a little bit nervous early on. I think I wasn’t quite in the tournament because of everything that’s been going on with — obviously after the Masters win and media and people congratulating you left, right and center. You know, I felt like I was a little bit up in the clouds, and when I woke up, I was 4-over after 6.”

Garcia’s 13 birdies on hole No. 17 since 2003 are the most on the PGA Tour, ahead of Adam Scott and Martin Kaymer who are tied for second with 12.

This year, the Spaniard’s eagle on the hole took him to one over, which is how he ended his round.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL – MAY 10: Sergio Garcia of Spain in action during a practice round ahead of THE PLAYERS Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on May 10, 2017 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)