Ryan Fox goes eagle-ace at Nos. 16 and 17 at 2024 Players Championship

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Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

March 14, 2024 11:56 am ET

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Ryan Fox treated the fans at TPC Sawgrass to a rare treat on Thursday – an eagle and an ace back-to-back on Nos. 16 and 17.

Fox, a 37-year-old New Zealand native, became the first player to make back-to-back eagles at any two holes at the Stadium Course during the 2024 Players Championship since the PGA Tour began recording data in 1983 (the first Players was played at the course in 1982.)

“It’s such an iconic hole, and it’s an intimidating shot. I don’t care who you are,” Fox said after his round. “You get up there, most of the crowd probably either wants you to make a 1 or hit it in the water, so I’m glad to be on the right side of it in that respect.”

Fox started his round on the back nine and arrived at the par-5 16th hole after making consecutive bogeys. But he struck his second shot from 180 yards to 2 feet and tapped in for eagle at the 516-yard par 5.

With the flag located on the front-left portion of the green, Fox followed with an ace of the 124-yard island green at 17. Fox’s short iron hit 5 feet behind the hole and spun back in for his second eagle in a matter of minutes. Fox lifted his arms straight to the sky in jubilation for making the 14th hole-in-one at the famed island green.

“When we got to the tee, it was kind of a good number for me. It was a nice gap wedge and you know you’ve got a little bit of a backstop there, and I was pretty chuffed to look up and see it going down the flag, and obviously a little bit of luck for it to come down the slope and go back in, but I’m certainly not complaining,” he said.

The back-to-back eagles vaulted him from 1 over to 3 under through eight holes in the first round of the Players, and he signed for 3-under 69.

“When it landed and came back, I was like, this has got a chance,” Fox said. “I mean, we had enough good shots that a few have a chance every now and again, but they don’t go in very often, so it was nice to see one properly go in, and as I said, it’s such an iconic hole, and to have that many people there to witness it is pretty cool.”